Published: Saturday February 21, 2009 MYT 6:32:00 PM
Updated: Saturday February 21, 2009 MYT 7:01:22 PM

Wanita MCA looking to help pre-school operators

By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA is looking into ways to simplify procedures for applying for licences to operate pre-schools.

Its chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the wing would be gathering feedback from pre-school operators to find out their problems.

Currently, she said licence fees charged by local councils nationwide varied.

She also urged local councils to reserve land for setting up of pre-schools in residential areas.

“We will be looking at government policies, regulations and others to help pre school operators creating a conducive environment to set up more community based pre schools,’’ she said.

Chew said this at the Institut CECE, a pioneer and non-profit educational organisation, specializes in pre-school teacher education when she was present at the institute on Saturday.

Also present were Datuk Leong Tang CHong, chairman, board of directors of CECE and Tan Sri Wong See Wah, chairman, board of governors of CECE.

Leong announced the two courses conducted by the institute - Certificate in Pre-school Education and Diploma in Early CHildhood Education - has been approved by the Malaysian Qualify Agency and recognised by Ministry of Higher Education.

Wong announced the launching of full time courses of these two courses and the next intake would be in April 2009.

Previously, these two courses were held in block intake during school holidays and weekend intake as majority of pre-school teachers were kindergarten teachers and childcare educators.

Wong said that trainees who needed financial aid could apply to the Chang Ming Thien Foundation for an interest-free study loan.

Trainees taking up diploma courses can also apply for PTPTN loans.

The pioneers involved in setting up Institut CECE in 1976 were former wanita MCA chief Datuk Teng Gaik Kwan and Dr Frances Lee and a total of 5,000 pre school educators graduated from the programmes with about 500 childcare centres set up nationwide.

Those interested in the courses can attend CECE’s Open Day on Feb 28, from 11am to 3pm, at its campus Off Jalan Malinja, Taman Bunga Raya, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

For details, call Sim or Aishah at 03-4142 6362.