This, she said, was one of the issues being prioritised by the education ministry.

“Right now, the ministry is looking at establishing more preschools as a priority,” she told reporters during a visit to SK and SMK Jalan Kebun in Shah Alam today.

She added that she had discussed the matter with the ministry’s secretary-general as well as state education departments.

Previously, Sinar Harian had reported that the shortage of government-run preschools and kindergartens in urban areas had left many parents little choice but to spend a fortune on private kindergartens.

Separately, Fadhlina said the two players in the Melaka Under-14 (U14) girls’ volleyball squad who were slapped by a volleyball coach recently had been provided counselling.

She also said the education ministry had met with the girls’ parents to obtain their feedback on the incident.

The investigation into the incident was continuing, she said.

On Sunday, Bernama reported that a video clip showing the coach slapping the two girls at the 2022 Malaysia Youth U14 Volleyball Championship in Johor had gone viral on social media.

Following this, the Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava) announced that the coach had been suspended.

His action drew the ire of many, including youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh who said it was wrong.