Latest news with #OSEIC
Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Sarawak showcases inclusive early childhood initiatives at ARNEC 2025 in Philippines
Fatimah (fifth left) and other dignitaries attend the ARNEC Conference 2025 in Manila. KUCHING (July 3): Sarawak's commitment to inclusive early childhood care and education (ECCE) was prominently featured at the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood Education (ARNEC) Conference 2025, held in Manila, Philippines. Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, presented the state's innovative, child-focused strategies with an emphasis on integrating children with special needs into mainstream ECCE services. She shared that SeDidik, the state-owned ECCE provider, had adopted an 'Open Door Policy', currently serving 198 children with special needs, representing 6.8 per cent of its total enrolment across 106 centres. 'All SeDidik teachers have been trained in inclusive practices and basic sign language to ensure accessible and respectful communication,' she said in a statement issued from Manila today. Fatimah also highlighted Sarawak's expansion of early intervention services through One-Stop Early Intervention Centres (OSEIC), now available in both urban and rural areas, supporting more than 683 children to date. In collaboration with the Japanese social enterprise TOY8, digital screening tools have been introduced to reduce assessment backlogs and identify developmental needs earlier. Supported by the Nippon Foundation and the Government of Japan, the initiative is also facilitating smoother transitions from intervention programmes to mainstream kindergartens, with four children successfully making the shift so far. 'Disability inclusion begins in early childhood. By teaching empathy, understanding and respect from the start, we are shaping a more inclusive future for all,' she added. Themed 'Advancing Equitable Early Childhood Development (ECD) Services: The Critical Role of Effective Local Governance' the ARNEC Conference gathered regional stakeholders to exchange best practices in inclusive early childhood development. ARNEC early childhood care education fatimah abdullah inclusive Philippines
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Reconsider rejected Lingga-Banting access road project, rep tells SPA
Dayang Noorazah says that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 23): Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS-Lingga) has urged the State Planning Authority (SPA) to reconsider approving the proposed construction of an 11.3-kilometre access road connecting Lingga to Banting. She noted that the RM86.5 million project, proposed under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) allocation, was previously rejected by SPA due to an existing alternative route through Empelanjau. 'As the elected representative, I am voicing the hopes of the people of Lingga who wish for this road construction proposal to be given due consideration. 'The construction of this road would not only shorten travel distance for Banting residents to Lingga and Sebuyau but also ease their access to government services such as the Lingga District Office and the Health Clinic,' she said while debating the Motion of Appreciation for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. She added that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity. In addressing rural infrastructure concerns, she highlighted the recurring issue of floods affecting agricultural areas in the Maludam sub-district, which have severely impacted crop yields. 'The floods and high tides impact several villages, including Kampung Sungai Maludam, Sungai Melebu, Sungai Mulon, Sungai Daun, Sungai Merantik, Sungai Pedada and Tanjung Baru Maludam,' she said. Although RM40 million has been allocated by the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) for a flood mitigation project in Maludam, she argued that the funding is insufficient to address both flood prevention and agricultural infrastructure needs. 'Therefore, I appeal to the Sarawak government to consider additional funding for the second phase of the Flood Mitigation Project and the development of agricultural infrastructure in the area under the 13th Malaysia Plan,' she said. On a separate note, Dayang Noorazah congratulated the State Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development on the establishment of Sarawak's first One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC). 'The encouraging response received shows a pressing need to establish more OSEIC centres across all divisions of the state, especially in Sri Aman Division,' she said. She further urged that these efforts be expanded to meet the growing demand from parents of special needs children diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, or learning disabilities. Banting Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor DUN road project
