Better private pre-school education system the choice of most parents

The tendency of most parents to send their children to private pre-schools compared to government pre-schools is believed to be the source of racial polarisation and the growing learning gap in this country.

Kedah Member of the Youth Parliament, Dr Mohd Rizal Abd Rahman said most parents have the perception that the education system and syllabus offered by private pre-schools can better educate their children.

"As a result of this, the government nurseries and kindergartens are ignored," he said when debating a motion on the role of the government in operating nurseries and kindergartens to address the imbalance at the Youth Parliament sitting, Thursday.

Mohd Rizal also suggested that the government monitor the existence of nurseries and kindergartens based on certain political parties.

The suggestion was supported by Sabah representative Syed Mohd Hamizan Roslan who described the move as political indoctrination which violates the rights of children.

Sarawak representative Mohamad Sufri Yakup suggested that a special unit be set up to streamline the management of early education for children across the country.

He said the existence of the special unit can address problems or issues that occur in kindergartens and nurseries such as physical abuse and food poisoning.

The special unit can also monitor and assess the nurseries and kindergartens to ensure that they are run properly and provide good quality, he added.

The motion was then passed.