Government urged to review early childhood teaching qualification

The Nursery and Kindergarten Educators Association of Malaysia (PPTTM) has urged the government to review the requirement that early childhood teachers in the country possess at least a diploma, following several constraints especially relating to salary.

PPTTM director Rozita Kamil said the RM1,000 minimum salary paid to private nursery and preschool teachers also made it hard for these teachers to continue their education at diploma level as tuition fees were relatively high.

"The government's recommendation to have diploma level nursery and kindergarten teachers is commendable as it is in line with its aspiration to ensure quality early education for the future generation.

"But how can we achieve the goal without burdening the parties concerned epecially the educators, nursery and kindergarten operators and parents," she told reporters after the Early Childhood Educators Premier Award (APPAKK) 2.0 ceremony here, Saturday.

The event attended by about 1,000 early childhood educators nationwide was officiated by National Entrepreneur Corporation Berhad (PUNB) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam.

It was earlier reported that the Ministry of Education has made it compulsory for preschool and nursery teachers to possess at least a diploma in early childhood education by 2020 and this regulation involved both government and private organisations. -- Bernama