Early childhood education key to Sarawak’s future

KUCHING: Sarawak is strengthening early childhood education and care as a key investment in developing future-ready human capital towards 2030.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said a strong foundation in the early years is crucial to prepare Sarawakians for future demands.

He said Sarawak needs people who can think critically, communicate effectively, work with others, and continue learning throughout their lives.

“Development cannot only be measured by the roads, bridges, buildings and industries that we build.

“It must also be measured by the opportunities provided to our people, beginning from the earliest years of life.

“The future we speak about in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 will ultimately belong to the children that we are nurturing today,” he said.

Awang Tengah speaks at the convention.

He said this when officiating at the Sarawak Preschool International Convention (SPIC) 2026 at The Waterfront Hotel here today.

Awang Tengah said quality early childhood education should also be accessible to children regardless of their location or family income.

He said Sarawak’s vast geography and dispersed population mean different communities may require different approaches to meet their needs.

He stressed, however, that the state’s aspirations for every Sarawakian child must remain equally high.

“Different communities may require different approaches, but our aspiration for every Sarawakian child must remain equally high.

“If we get the early years right, we’ll not only be preparing our children for the future: we’ll be preparing Sarawak for the future,” he said.

Awang Tengah said preparing children for rapid technological change does not mean introducing formal academics earlier or increasing their screen exposure.

Instead, he said early childhood education should nurture curiosity, creativity, communication, self-discipline, cooperation, resilience and strong values.

“Technology will change, but these human qualities will remain important,” he added.

Awang Tengah also stressed that children should be prepared to participate globally without losing their cultural and linguistic identities.

He said they should understand their roots while respecting other cultures and having the confidence to participate beyond Sarawak.

“Global relevance does not require us to become less Sarawakian,” he said.