Raising the Standards of Early Childhood Education and Childcare in Malaysia

A critical dialogue on the current and future state of ECCE in the country, as shared by experts at the Malaysia Education Star Awards 2024 

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the early childhood education and childcare sector (ECCE) today? And how can schools, the government, parents, and the community play their roles effectively to ensure that the future of the next generation is a bright one?

These were just some of the key points discussed at the recent Malaysia Education Star Awards 2024 (MESA) dialogue session. Themed ‘Raising the Standards of ECCE in Malaysia’, the forum saw three industry leaders and experts sharing their insights on critical issues—from addressing the issue of teacher shortages to how preschool and kindergarten operators can enhance the quality of care and education they deliver. 

Why Regulation is Crucial for Childcare Centres and Taskas

A hot topic raised during the forum the importance of proper regulation of childcare centres and preschools. According to a 2024 report^[1], just over 3,000 childcare centres nationwide are officially registered with the government—a fraction of the total number operating across the country.

This is an alarming trend since it indicates that many parents might be placing their children in the care of untrained and unqualified staff. Additionally, these centres may not comply with safety regulations mandated under the Child Care Centre Act. Another concerning aspect is the number of abuse cases on the rise^[2] at these unregulated facilities.

“Without proper regulation and training, it’s impossible to deliver safe and quality childcare services,” says Norsheila Abdullah A.M.N, President of Persatuan Pengasuhan dan Perkembangan Awal Kanak-Kanak Berdaftar Malaysia (PPBM). She points to government initiatives like the Kursus Asuhan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-Kanak (KAP) course, which equips childcare providers with essential skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government funded free KAP courses targeting 10,000 participants^[3], a move that showed its commitment to professionalising the sector.

However, despite these efforts, Norsheila observes that there is still resistance amongst operators to send their staff for training, even when offered for free or online. “Our industry is hands-on, and while theory is important, hands-on training is what helps providers truly understand and apply what they’ve learned,” she explains.

Accountability within the industry also remains a concern. Norsheila highlighted that there are still operators that shy away from registering their income tax with the authorities. This lack of transparency not only affects industry credibility but also limits access to financial incentives from the government.

“It takes a village to raise a child, and everyone in the community has a role to play,” she emphasises. “Stronger collaboration among operators, parents, and policymakers is crucial for addressing these systemic issues and enhancing the overall quality of ECCE in Malaysia.”

Staffing Challenges for Preschools and Kindergartens – And Potential Ways to Overcome Them

It’s no secret that qualified preschool teachers are in short supply – an issue that has persisted for many years in the private ECCE sector. While the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 states that preschool teachers need to have at least a diploma in early childhood education by 2020, only 18 percent^[4] of private preschool teachers fulfilled this criterion in 2023.

Elvis Gan, Vice Chairman of Persatuan Tadika Malaysia is all too aware of the difficulties in hiring and retaining staff. One factor, he says, is due to the industry’s low wages. “Qualified teachers often leave the sector because of low wages, while those who stay struggle to make ends meet. It’s rare to see a staff member serving for more than five years,” says Gan, who also operates Tadika Bayu Mewah in Kuala Lumpur.

However, he believes this isn’t because the industry isn’t willing to pay more, but rather due to high operating costs, especially with the recent minimum wage hike from RM1,500 to RM1,700. Operators often have to juggle between keeping fees affordable while still upholding the standards of quality delivered, which cannot be maintained if preschools and childcare centres do not invest in the professional development of its staff.

To address this, Gan encouraged operators to establish transparent fee structures, allowing parents to understand the costs associated with quality education and care. “We don’t want to burden parents, but quality should always be central to the industry. We are after all, doing this for the children.”

He also urges operators to explore available subsidies from government bodies like PERKESO, which offers an incentive programme^[5] through MyFutureJobs for hiring and training new staff. Another resource is HRD Corp’s levy schemes, which allow employers to upskill their staff through claimable training courses without incurring additional costs.

Making Professional Development More Accessible For Educators

Individuals and their employers often cite time and financial constraints as the reasons holding them back from furthering their training or getting professionally certified. To bridge these gaps and improve accessibility, some private educational institutions have stepped up to support the Malaysian government by offering alternative pathways to make it easier for both new and existing educators to obtain certification or upgrade themselves.

SEGi University and Colleges, for example, offers multiple Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) pathways, such as APEL-A which accounts for work experience and is suitable for those who don’t meet the traditional requirements to enter into a diploma; or the APEL-C, where students can claim credit transfers based on demonstrated knowledge and skills gained through formal or informal means. For those who have limited time, there’s also the APEL-M which offers flexibility by unbundling diploma courses into short modules that can be taken at one’s own pace.

Carolyn Choo, who is Head of the Department of Education – Early Childhood at SEGi University and Colleges, called for greater support from private institutions and employers, urging them to provide educators with time and resources to pursue these opportunities.

“If schools do not allow their teachers time to upgrade themselves, the quality of education will be at risk,” she noted, highlighting the importance of empowering educators to meet rising standards.

Tackling Burnout and Ensuring a Sustainable Workforce

The emotional well-being of ECCE staff is another critical issue. The sector’s demanding nature – long hours, low pay, high levels of stress – often leads to burnout, further increasing the challenge of recruiting and retaining quality educators. Choo is actively involved in conducting free self-care workshops, introducing educators to resources such as the Asia-Pacific ECCE Teacher Training for Social and Emotional Learning (APETT-SEL). These workshops emphasise strategies for mindfulness, emotional regulation, and well-being.

“When educators are calm, clear, and kind, they are better equipped to handle the challenges of their profession. This allows them to approach their work with positivity and leave with a sense of fulfilment,” she explains. The workshops focus on helping educators maintain a healthy perspective on their personal and professional lives.

Choo also points out the importance of fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) among children, an essential component of the new Malaysian Standard Preschool Curriculum (KSPK). “If educators do not prioritise their own well-being, it becomes impossible to promote SEL effectively among young learners,” she remarks.

References:

1. Darshini Ganeson (2024). Urgent need to focus on early childhood education. Available at https://thesun.my/education/urgent-need-to-focus-on-early-childhood-education-GJ12821531

2. Rais Zulfahmi (2023) Abuse cases at childcare centres on the increase. Available at https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/abuse-cases-at-childcare-centres-on-the-increase-EM11489863

3. KPWKM targeting 10,000 participants for Permata Childcare Course. Available at https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/kpwkm-targeting-10000-participants-for-permata-childcare-course-BI3587740

4. Shathana Kasinathan (2023). Experts: Lack of quality teachers in preschool education hinders early childhood development in Malaysia. Available at https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/experts-lack-quality-teachers-preschool-121757868.html

5. Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO)(2024). Available at https://www.perkeso.gov.my/186-penjana/803-program-insentif-pengambilan-pekerja-dan-bantuan-latihan.html