PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said this year’s allocation of RM771 million to strengthen early childhood education to Permata, Tabika Kemas and Ministry of Education is a substantial amount and some explanation by certain quarters is due.
“I'm not disputing the importance of early education but the question remains on the allocation and the effectiveness and usefulness of Permata to all Malaysian children,” said Afif, in a press statement today.
According to Permata website, a total of 1,780 children are enrolled in Permata centres nationwide.
“This only reflects 0.074 per cent of children below the age of four in the country, out of the 2.4 million,” he said.
"Of the 82 centres nationwide, 17 centres have not been able to state the actual numbers of children attending the centres.
“From this, we can conclude that Permata Negara invests almost RM1.8 million for each child at the centre," he added.
Permata Negara is the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor - Bernama Photo
Has the policy achieved its original target?, Afiff questioned.
“Why are the children intake too low as compared to the children population in the country? What are the criterias in the children selection to enroll in these centres,” he asked.
He also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak along with the Women, Family and Community Ministry and the MOE to study the effectiveness of PERMATA programme on the present RM3.2 billion allocation.
He said since its inception in 2007, Permata’s is aimed at offering comprehensive curriculum to all Malaysian children.
He also proposed that the government makes it compulsory for children to attend early education in primary schools.
