Chong Eng (left) speaking with a participant during the session at the Penang Education Department in Bukit Gambir. – KT GOH/The Star
The implementation of minimum wage, longer maternity leave and higher academic qualifications are among issues raised during an engagement session between the state government and kindergarten operators in Penang.
Tadika Pavitra principal V. Santhi, who has been in the industry for 25 years, said the RM1,500 minimum wage had made things difficult.
“We are small-time entrepreneurs. It’s not that we don’t want to adhere to the ruling but the operating costs will be higher.
“The minimum wage has become a financial burden for us,” she said.
Santhi: Minimum wage has become a financial burden to kindergarten operators.
Tadika Intan Gemilang manager Nor Bahriah Salleh said getting teachers with diplomas would mean incurring additional costs.
“Those with a diploma will command a higher salary and that will eat into our profit,” she said after attending the session at Penang Education Department in Bukit Gambir.
Tadika Day Star operator Lit Peng Khoon said he felt there had been a good dialogue between the stakeholders and the authorities.
“The state government and education officers now know our problems,” he said.
Tadika Bijak Pintar operator Christine Tan said operators would face financial problems with the increase in paid maternity leave from 60 to 98 days.
Nor Bahriah says teachers with diplomas will command a higher salary.
“It is a progressive move and we are willing to follow (this ruling),” she said.
“But the government has to help us by working out a mechanism to relieve our financial burden.”
Present at the session were state social development committee chairman Chong Eng and Education Ministry deputy director (private education division) Aniza Kamarulzaman.
In her speech, Chong Eng said that based on state education department data, there were 451 kindergartens registered with the department, while another 86 were operating without a licence, as at last June.
Tan says the implementation of longer maternity leave will affect kindergarten operators.
“There have been efforts, including conducting advocacy programmes, to ensure that kindergarten operators get their licences.
“It’s a challenge dealing with the situation. If it were an unlicensed shop selling food, we could issue a closure notice,” she said.
“But we are dealing with the future of our children. It’s tough,” she added.
Chong Eng said 76 kindergarten operators were invited for the session.
“It is an initiative to enable all registered operators to bring up issues so that the state government can channel them to the Federal Government,” added Chong Eng.
