Early Childhood Educators Play Key Role in Strengthening National Unity | KiddyNews

Early childhood educators are emerging as one of Malaysia’s most crucial forces for strengthening unity, social cohesion, and national identity, according to the Special Select Committee on national unity and education. The committee said preschool teachers play a pivotal role in shaping children’s values during their most formative years, helping them learn respect, empathy, and acceptance.

Early Integration Through Government-Sponsored Perpaduan Preschools

Fairojibanu Zainal Abidin, director of the Social Cohesion and National Integration Division at the Department of National Unity and Integration, described unity preschool teachers as “pillars” of the government’s early-integration strategy.

Taska Perpaduan preschools, which serve children aged two to four, follow the National PERMATA Curriculum while introducing ethnic and cultural elements through simple, playful activities such as colouring and group work.

For older children aged four to six, Tabika Perpaduan kindergartens place greater emphasis on nationhood, unity, and moral values while helping children develop their individual identity.

Strengthening Multilingual & National Values

Fairojibanu said Tabika Perpaduan kindergartens use the standard national preschool curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education, with additional specialised unity-focused modules. These include:

• Education on the Rukun Negara
• Basic multilingual communication (English, Tamil, Mandarin, Kadazan, and Iban)
• “Jom Urus Diri” self-management programme

These programmes encourage children to work together, communicate across cultures, and embrace Malaysia’s diverse identity from an early age.

A Nationwide Network Supporting Low-Income Families

Malaysia currently has 41 Taska Perpaduan preschools and 1,781 Tabika Perpaduan kindergartens operating nationwide.

This year, the national unity ministry allocated RM33.73 million through the Cilik Perpaduan programme to support these centres, covering:

• Student starter kits
• Supplementary food assistance
• Per-capita grants of RM100 per child
• Group personal accident insurance

The funding ensures that education at Tabika and Tadika Perpaduan – including uniforms – is free, with parents contributing only a voluntary RM15 to RM30 per month. Most enrolled families are from lower-income households, making these centres a vital resource for affordable, quality early education.

Positive Impact on Children’s Social Development

Educators report that children in unity-focused preschools often develop stronger cooperation, confidence, and comfort mixing with peers of various backgrounds. The committee described this as “unity by upbringing,” noting that multicultural learning environments help young children form inclusive attitudes naturally.

Committee Urges Stronger Support for Unity Education

To reinforce these positive outcomes, the committee recommended expanding access to unity preschools nationwide and boosting training for early childhood educators, especially in multicultural and unity-building pedagogy.

The committee emphasised that early childhood education remains one of Malaysia’s most powerful tools for nurturing a generation that understands and embraces diversity. building the foundation for a more harmonious, united nation.

Source:

Free Malaysia Today – “Early childhood educators lead the way in fostering national unity”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.