KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development hopes that SeDidik’s clear directions and commitment could be a benchmark for early childhood education not only in Sarawak but also at the national and international levels.

Its minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said in strengthening SeDidik as a quality Early Childhood Institution in Sarawak, focus will be given to provide childcare and education services, especially in the rural areas.

She said SeDidik provides a professional network with educational institutions domestically and abroad for the purpose of recognition as an early education provider for children.

“That’s the reason why SeDidik establishes strategic professional training systems and development programmes to strengthen competencies of personnel in line with current needs and demands.

“Currently, 78 or 54.16 per cent of 144 educators have at least a Diploma in Childhood Education, and by 2021 if we achieve our target we would see all educators and caregivers have at least this diploma,” she said.

Fatimah’s speech was read by Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus at the SeDidik Prize and Certificate Presentation ceremony for SeDidik Perdana zone at a hotel here yesterday.

At the event, 55 children from the zone received their certificate of completion of preschool education.

On a related matter, she said SeDidik will continue to implement digitalisation in all of their materials and learning experiences.

“SeDidik will continue to strengthen and empower value-added programmes available such as Let’s Begin Programme, English Fun Learning, Sunshine Balanced Reading programme for English, SeDidik’s Thematic Module and Dr Glenn Doman method for Babies and Parents, and this also includes kindergym, kindergardening and music which will be continued and empowered,” she added.