Sedidik Sarawak to open four childcare centres in 2026

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Dec 16): Sedidik Sarawak is set to expand its early childhood education with the opening of four childcare centres and one kindergarten by next year.

Its general manager Ayub Dahari said several applications for operating permits had been submitted this year, with some already approved while others still under planning and awaiting final clearance from the relevant authorities.

“Initial planning has already begun, but we are still awaiting full completion of the permit process. For example, for the workplace childcare centre at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) handing-over is scheduled to take place during the university’s upcoming convocation.

“We are also awaiting permit approval for childcare centres under the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) and will commence operations once approval is granted.

“If operations cannot begin in the first quarter, they will be targeted for the second quarter next year,” he said when met by reporters after the Sedidik Samarahan Zone’s 34th convocation yesterday.

Ayub said another childcare centre would be slated at Taman Wangsan in Mukah, which he was positive that approval could be obtained soon.

“In addition, we are planning to establish another workplace childcare centre at Hospital Sibu next year, subject to the finalisation of an agreement with the relevant parties,” he said.

On its curriculum, Ayub said Sedidik Sarawak had been implementing a special syllabus that would include basic sign language since 2020.

“The initiative was inspired by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

“The aim is to help children understand that there are people who are different from them. If they also learn sign language, that is an added benefit.

“However, the main objective is to nurture children to be more caring, empathetic and considerate towards others with different abilities.

“Children with mild developmental differences may be enrolled for observation and support, while those with more serious conditions will be advised to seek assessment and treatment from medical specialists at hospitals,” he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 110 children from 12 Sedidik kindergartens in the Samarahan zone were honoured as ‘young graduates’.

Also present at the convocation was Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang and his wife Datin Nurhidayah Hussain.