Fatimah: One-Stop Early Intervention Centre to expand to Miri, Samarahan

KUCHING (Oct 5): The state government plans to expand its One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak to Miri and Samarahan soon, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

The Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said OSEIC Sarawak serves as a beacon of hope for children with special needs and their families, offering services with monthly contribution fees as low as RM50.

“Over 70 per cent of OSEIC children come from low-income households, and we plan to expand our facilities to Miri and Samarahan soon,” she said at the Sarawak Preschool International Convention 2024 here today.

Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, said there were 562 children registered with OSEIC Sarawak Kuching, and 40 children registered under her constituency, as of last month.

She said the number of children transitioning into mainstream primary education had increased from two into the first cohort of 2022, to 12 last year and 44 this year.

“Given the remarkable success rate of early intervention, we aim to transition as many children as possible from OSEIC into mainstream primary education, while ensuring others receive appropriate support to enter integrated programmes or special schools,” she added.

Established in 2020, OSEIC Sarawak marked the state government’s strong commitment to providing early diagnosis and intervention for special needs children at the earliest stage possible, she said.

According to her, OSEIC offers affordable early diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation under one roof for special needs children aged six and below.

At the event, Fatimah presented a Special Annual Grant of RM5,000 to SJK Chung Hua Batu 10, Kuching; Tabika Kemas Kampung Serasot B, Kuching; Tabika Perpaduan Taman Malihah Kenanga, Kuching; and Taska di Tempat Kerja SeDidik Unimas, Samarahan.

She also handed out similar grants to Tadika Rajawali Kuching that received RM3,180, Tadika Maju Indah Kuching (RM38,167.20), Taska di Rumah Az-Zahra Samarahan (RM3,000), and Taska Ibunda Samarahan (RM5,000).