KEMAS SAMARAHAN PIONEERS EARLY EDUCATION FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN S’WAK

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Samarahan Community Development Department (KEMAS) will pioneer early childhood education for five- and six-year-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly in rural areas, starting next month

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said a special kindergarten under KEMAS, known as Tabika Tunas Istimewa, in Kampung Tanjung Bundong, here, will begin operations to ensure that no children in this group are left behind in education.

“We are introducing this special class so that children with special needs can be educated from an early stage, as early education is crucial in helping them become independent and adapt to their environment.

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“All these efforts show that KEMAS is committed to shaping a generation that is ethical, knowledgeable and confident,” she told reporters at the KEMAS kindergarten and childcare centre appreciation ceremony in Kota Samarahan today.

Rubiah said Tabika Tunas was established to streamline the teaching system, following a significant increase in enrolment of children with special needs.

“This is another catalyst for change, with the introduction of the class supported by more trained and experienced teachers to work with children with special needs,” she said.

She said all teachers undergo three to six months of training, covering theory and practical components, at the KEMAS Early Childhood Education Academy in Kuantan, Pahang, as well as placement training at several special education schools under the Education Ministry.

Meanwhile, Rubiah said another tahfiz programme, Thalatha Tis’a, will be introduced next year at KEMAS childcare centres to nurture Quran-literate children as young as two.

Rubiah said the programme is expected to involve about 1,000 children across 100 KEMAS childcare centres nationwide.

-- BERNAMA