RM231.2-million welfare aid disbursed to 61,603 recipients as of Sept 2026

A TOTAL of 1,368 children has received support from the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) from 2020 to May 2026, with 518 completing their intervention programmes.

Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said of those who completed the programmes, 145 transitioned to mainstream Year One, 303 to the Special Education Integration Programme and 70 to special education schools.

“To raise awareness of inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), promote early identification and timely intervention, and connect families with available support services, the ministry organised the Inclusive ECCE Outreach Programme in Dalat on July 18, reaching 507 participants.

“The programme was conducted in collaboration with SeDidik Sdn Bhd, OSEIC Sarawak and the Education, Health and Social Welfare Departments,” she said.

She said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

Meanwhile, SeDidik preschools are strengthening early identification through the TOY& Digital Developmental Screening and Intervention Programme.

As of October 6, 2026, a total of 140 SeDidik teachers had been trained and certified as developmental screeners, while 1,559 children from 92 SeDidik preschools had completed developmental screening.

“From the first cohort of 484 children, 49 of the 55 children identified proceeded with structured intervention.

“In the second cohort of 1,075 children, all 286 children identified are scheduled to begin a six-month intervention programme by October 2026,” she said.

Fatimah added that Sarawak was also strengthening its ECCE system through the Sarawak Preschool International Convention (SPIC) 2026, held from Sept 25 to 27 under the theme ‘Child Matters: Embracing Change in ECCE’.

“SPIC 2026 also included the Pledge to the Early Childhood Professionals Code of Ethics, making Sarawak the first state to undertake the pledge, reaffirming the commitment to uphold the rights, dignity, wellbeing and best interests of every child,” she said.

Participants also presented resolutions for the Ministry’s consideration and follow-up action, calling for a more coordinated, inclusive and integrated ECCE ecosystem.

“These resolutions are timely as the Ministry develops the Sarawak ECCE Policy Framework, which will bring together key agencies, professionals, providers and communities through a multisectoral approach to strengthen coordination and deliver better outcomes for every child,” she said.

Beyond early childhood care, education and intervention, she added that the Ministry also places emphasis on protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“In 2026, to date, a total of 108 advocacy talks have been conducted by Protectors under the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, involving 16,665 children,” she added.