More qualified early child care and education teachers needed

• About 93% of teachers within this segment do not possess any formal teacher training certification
• There is a real need to up-skill existing teachers and provide pre-service training

The demand for more qualified preschool teachers is expected to rise from this year onwards. Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) estimates that there about 93% of teachers who do not possess the right qualifications for this segment.

"I understand that only three percent of preschool teachers in the private sector have a diploma or degree. Others only have on-the-job traiing or took preschool education courses not recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency," said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the opening of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Week.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin talking to a kindergarten pupil at the opening of the Early Childhood Care and Education Week in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Mohd Yusni Ariffin

On May 27th to June 8th, 3,493 private school teachers were trained. By end of this year, it is estimated that about 20,000 preschool teachers have been trained.

The Deputy Prime Minister said all preschool teachers should have at least a diploma in early childhood education.

Private sector to play a pivotal role

SEGi Education Group, has been chosen to help upgrade the qualifications of existing workforce. It has pledged RM398 million to establish an ECCE hub in Kota Damansara, along with other satellite hubs in other parts of the country.

The new hub will help provide multiple and accessible training pathways, develop the national standard for ECCE training as well as recruiting new and qualified childcare providers and teachers.

The hub will have facilities for teaching and learning, childcare and preschool labs, early childhood simulation rooms, resource centre, research and dvelopment facilities, auxiliary services for children and family, spaces for seminars and conferences, hostels, as well as vendors providing ECCE products and services.