Music opens doors for every child: Fatimah

KUCHING: Music education should continue to be expanded as an inclusive platform to provide more opportunities for children, including those who are neurodivergent and from underprivileged families, to develop their talents and potential.

Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the approach is in line with the ‘Every Child Matters’ principle, which emphasised every child’s right to access development opportunities regardless of their background or abilities.

“Every child in Sarawak has different abilities, interests and aspirations.

“Our responsibility is to create an environment that allows their strengths to be identified, nurtured and celebrated,” she was quoted as saying in a UKAS report when speaking at the Prodigy Music Centre’s 16th Anniversary Awards and Concert (Symphony No. 16) here on Sunday (Sept 27).

Fatimah said music education is not merely about mastering musical instruments or performing, but also helped develop discipline, self-confidence, creativity, emotional expression and resilience among children.

She welcomed the collaboration between Prodigy Music Centre and PETROS Foundation Berhad through Project NADI GEM (Nurturing Ability, Diversity, and Inclusion), which provides music-based development opportunities for neurodivergent children and those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Fatimah added that collaboration between the government, private sector, educational institutions, families and communities is important to ensure efforts to develop children holistically are not limited to any one party.

“Project NADI GEM demonstrates how such collaboration can be translated into real opportunities for children who may face barriers in accessing education and developmental activities,” she said.

She also expressed appreciation to Prodigy Music Centre for its continued commitment over the past 16 years in providing music education and talent development opportunities for children and young people in Sarawak.

The event also saw recognition given to Prodigy students who achieved success in graded music examinations under the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London, as well as students who brought recognition to Prodigy and Sarawak in various music competitions.