Fed up with U-turns in policies, opposition MPs, kindergarten and childcare centre operators as well as other relevant stakeholders today demanded clarity from the authorities and urged the government not to neglect the sector that was deemed as “less essential” compared with others.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh claimed that the inconsistencies happened as a result of the sector being put under four different ministries – education; women, family and community development; rural development; and unity.
She explained that while kindergartens and preschools were under the management of the education ministry and childcare centres were under the women, family and community development ministry, Perpaduan and Kemas kindergartens were managed by different ministries.
“Perpaduan kindergarten is managed by the unity ministry while Kemas kindergarten is under the rural development ministry,” she said in a press conference.
The former deputy women, family and community development minister noted that each ministry issued different SOPs and directives, causing confusion among teachers, operators and parents.
The DAP MP also noted that other special childcare centres such as the autism centre and speech therapy centre were left in limbo during MCO.
“These centres asked for clarification from the health ministry but were reverted to education or other ministries instead. In the end, they did not know whether they were allowed to operate or not.”
Further, Yeoh expressed concern that the “flip-flop” in SOPs could increase the risk of child abuse, especially among babies and younger children.
“The sudden closure of kindergartens and daycare centres by the education ministry caused panic among parents.
“Parents would have been forced to take desperate measures by sending their children to anyone, such as neighbours or unlicensed nannies near their house.
“These people are not trained to take care of young children. Therefore, it could increase the risk of child abuse,” she said.
Meanwhile, kindergarten and daycare operators urged the government to consider the sector as “essential”.
“Going forward, there is a need for the government to put more effort in the sector. We feel that this sector has the lowest priority from the government.
“During the previous MCO, this sector was the last allowed to operate,” said Patrick Tiah, secretary of Persatuan Pengusaha Institusi Pendidikan Pulau Pinang.
Additionally, its president, Lim Beng Suat urged the government to prioritise teachers and daycare operators for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.