The number of teachers armed with a diploma in early childhood education (ECE) has increased over the past four years.
However, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Council president, Prof Datin Dr Mariani Md Nor, said her dream is to see more degree and PhD holders working in kindergartens and childcare centres.
She admitted there were parents who looked down on those working in these centres, as previously, many were not qualified.
“Some teachers with degrees or PhDs are also shy to admit they work in this field. But I always tell them to be proud of who they are,” said Mariani.
“When I visited several countries, I was delighted to see many of those in the early childhood education field were PhD holders. That is my dream for Malaysia too.”
She added teachers in government centres had degrees.
“I know of some of my ex-students, with PhDs, working in kindergartens and childcare centres. We need to find a way to attract more qualified teachers to teach our young children.
“The original deadline for teachers in all kindergartens and childcare centres to possess at least a diploma in ECE was in 2020, but we are now coming to 2023. We are on track to achieve the target, but I feel we can do better.”
Mariani added that before 2016, many teachers in private centres did not have the proper qualifications. That compelled the government to insist that a diploma in ECE was the minimum requirement.
Asked about the increase in diploma holders over the past four years, Mariani said it was the result of ECCE Council’s first president, Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng.
“After the 2016 announcement, ECCE Council and Dr Chiam worked closely with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency to endorse ECE diplomas.
“We needed more institutes of higher learning to offer these courses,” she said.
“The uptake was slow initially, but the centres and teachers realised that they could not operate without the proper qualifications. That was when more teachers enrolled to get their diplomas.”
Mariani felt that if Covid-19 had not happened, the percentage of qualified teachers would be higher.
She said many teachers struggled during the various lockdowns imposed during the pandemic, resulting in schools and childcare centres to be closed.
Some teachers were forced to leave their jobs, while others could not afford to take the courses.
Mariani also stressed that parents should look at kindergartens that offer quality education, and not just settle for one that is cheap or closest to home.
Separately, Mariani, who is also a member of the Special Committee for Studying and Improving the Procedures for Handling Cases of Sexual Harassment and Bullying in Educational Institutions under the Education Ministry, agreed with a Twentytwo13 report that Malaysia needed more psychologists.
“We must address this issue head-on. We need children to open up about these issues. The best person they can talk to are psychologists,” said Mariani, a professor at Segi University’s Faculty of Education, Languages and Psychology.
“Our committee met with the Education Minister (recently) to discuss how we can solve these issues.”