Permata centre ‘wasn’t safe for my child’
Where are the millions of ringgit of ‘direct’ funding to Permata really going when there are separate fundings from other government agencies?
This year alone, the government allocated RM150 million for more than 300 nurseries which were turned into Permata centres to facilitate the Anak Permata programme.
Aneesa Alphonsus, Free Malaysia Today
For a parent whose child qualifies to receive free Early Childhood Education, Sharifah Noor isn’t too happy. A recent visit to a Permata Centre in Kepala Batas, Penang, has made her change her mind about sending her four-year-old son there.
She is uncomfortable at the inadequacy of the centre’s safety features, especially since it involves children.
She was fortunate to have noticed the water feature play area in the centre.
“It just wasn’t safe for a child…There are sharp corners and it doesn’t look very safe, ” she muttered, adding: “I saw some children running around the area and I was so afraid that they would cut themselves.”
Sharifah is not alone in her discomfort. Another parent who requested anonymity said she witnessed a young child suffer an asthma attack and the teachers did not know what to do.
The petrified parent immediately withdrew her child from this other Permata centre.
Neither parent was comfortable discussing the shortcomings in the Permata centres.
In fact, what was strange was the hushed tones each parent used when speaking about the centres and their constant worry that someone might overhear them.
Fundamental to early childhood education is health, safety and the development of cognizance skills for these children.
When approached with these cases, Dr Rohani Abdullah, who is Permata’s head of training, took a defensive stance.
An associate professor at University Putra Malaysia, she said: “Permata is more focused on the content in the child’s learning syllabus.
“Teachers are trained on knowledge-based curriculum which comprises information on activities for children, and module development which includes music, art and reading.
“We also put together a one-day first aid course for the teachers.
“As for the water feature issue, the contractors didn’t follow our specifications – they did it differently.
“We have suggested that they remove certain things but since these are already imbedded, doing so would require that the entire structure be taken down and rebuilt,” said Rohani when contacted by FTM. She was not available for further comments.
Close to RM2 billion to Permata
For all the money that’s been channelled towards Permata, which is under the patronage of Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister, one would assume that no expense is spared to ensure that the centres meet with every health and safety requirement, particularly since it deals with children as young as four-years old.
This year alone, the government allocated RM150 million for more than 300 nurseries which were turned into Permata centres to facilitate the Anak Permata programme.
Some speculate that close to RM2 billion has already been given out to Permata by the government.
Mind you, this allocation, they said, is only for structure. There were also separate funds for the following:
- the development of childcare programmes for children below the age of five;
- the setting up of Permata centres in high-risk rural areas for the benefit of underprivileged children;
- for the training of teachers;
- modules; and
- research and development.
Suraya Ahmad (not her real name), who has been involved in the early stages of the Perrnata project, claims that there are many inconsistencies where the Permata centres are concerned.
“When they started the centre five years ago, the curriculum didn’t follow a proper child development curriculum and it still doesn’t.
“The intention to have Permata was very impressive and inspiring because all children below the age of four would be entitled to an education.
“But I became very disillusioned when I saw so much money being spent unnecessarily.”
Citing an example of a typical Permata centre, she said: “There is a huge waiting area furnished with items from Ikea, expensive wood was used for the miniature playhouse and the elaborate water feature looks dangerous plus a too-large sand pit area.”
“But when it comes to office items such as fax machines and even printer ink, we would have to wait for Permata to give the approval and budget to go ahead with the purchase,” she said.
