This is Malaysia’s First Preschool Recognised by UNESCO | KiddyNews

Malaysia has reached a proud milestone in early childhood education. Tadika Bitara Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has officially become the first preschool in the nation to receive recognition from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), an international platform that connects educational institutions worldwide in advancing peace, global citizenship, and sustainable development.

The announcement marks a historic moment not just for UPSI, but also for Malaysia’s preschool education landscape, proving that local early learning centres can meet international standards of excellence.

Setting a Global Standard in Early Learning

UPSI Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said the recognition is a testament to the institution’s long-standing commitment to quality education and holistic child development.

“This recognition by UNESCO symbolises Malaysia’s readiness to nurture future generations who are globally conscious, environmentally responsible, and rooted in strong values from an early age,” he said, adding that the award was officially received on 11 August 2025.

Tadika Bitara’s inclusion in UNESCO’s ASPnet reflects its outstanding approach to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) — integrating environmental awareness, social responsibility, and cultural understanding into its daily preschool curriculum.

Teaching Big Values to Little Learners

At Tadika Bitara, children are introduced to practical sustainability habits through hands-on projects such as waste recycling, gardening, energy-saving activities, and community involvement. These experiences encourage curiosity and empathy — nurturing not only intelligent minds but also compassionate hearts.

Supported by UPSI’s National Child Development Research Centre (NCDRC), the preschool’s curriculum is designed around evidence-based research and innovative early education practices. The NCDRC’s academic expertise ensures that every learning activity aligns with national standards while meeting UNESCO’s global benchmarks.

A Win for Malaysia’s Early Childhood Sector

This achievement shines a spotlight on Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen early childhood education (ECE) as part of its national development goals. It demonstrates that preschools in Malaysia can compete on the world stage when supported by strong educational leadership and research-driven programmes.

The UNESCO recognition also opens new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange with other schools in the ASPnet community across 180 countries, allowing Malaysia to share its unique educational insights while learning from global best practices.

Moving forward, Professor Md Amin expressed hopes that more Malaysian preschools will follow in Tadika Bitara’s footsteps by embedding sustainability, inclusivity, and global citizenship values into their daily lessons.

It Matters for Parents and Educators

For parents, Tadika Bitara’s recognition is a sign that Malaysia’s early childhood education is evolving, becoming more globally relevant, research-informed, and child-centred. For educators, it reinforces the importance of integrating sustainability and empathy into preschool learning, preparing children not just for school, but for life.

Source:

Bernama — “Tadika Bitara UPSI Becomes Malaysia’s First Preschool Recognised by UNESCO”

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