KUANTAN: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry will continue to strengthen early childhood education under the Community Development Department (Kemas) by combining values and religious education with technological skills to meet the needs of future generations.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic)said changes to the national education system, including lowering the school starting age from seven to six, had increased the importance of early education through Kemas kindergartens (Tabika) and childcare centres (Taska).
The Rural and Regional Development Minister said Kemas education must keep pace with technological advances, including the wider implementation of Smart Class and the use of smartboards in its kindergartens.
“After six decades of serving the community, Kemas must enter a new phase and continue to evolve with the times without losing sight of the fundamentals of human development,” he said in a statement after attending the Pahang Kemas Community Engagement Programme in Bera yesterday.
Also present were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and former prime minister and Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said the federal government, state governments, MPs and state assemblymen must work more closely to provide technological facilities.
He also proposed expanding the memorisation programme in Kemas-run kindergartens from next year as part of efforts to strengthen religious education.
“In addition to memorising surah (chapters) from Juzuk (part) 30 of the Quran, Kemas children will also be guided to memorise Surah Yasin, Al-Waqiah, Al-Mulk and As-Sajdah,” he said, stressing that Kemas teachers must first master the memorisation skills to ensure the programme is implemented in a structured and effective manner.
He also thanked the Pahang government for its continued support for Kemas, including initiatives to secure land titles and grants for its Tabika and Taska premises, as well as funding for renovation and improvement works.
