PROF Datin Dr Mariani Mohd Nor is a prominent figure at the forefront of early childhood education development in Malaysia.
The professor from the Faculty of Education, Language, Psychology & Music (FoELPM) at SEGi University is also a reputable child psychologist, and recently, Mariani wore a new hat as the Chairperson of a committee tasked with reviewing the Programme Standards: Early Childhood Education (PS:ECE).
The PS:ECE was developed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry.
Its aim is to bring Early Childhood Education (ECE) to a higher academic realm, thus contributing to the emergence of new fields of knowledge in the sector, enhancing educational institutions’ capacity, and strengthening preschool teachers’ abilities.
The PS:ECE Committee comprises experts from the Education Ministry, higher education providers in the public and private sectors, industry specialists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the ECCE Council Malaysia.
“The PS:ECE is currently being reviewed to meet the current market demands and needs. We are now living in the digital area, where new technologies are transforming economies and societies, and therefore it is imperative that the Programme Standards reflect these changes,” Mariani said.
The revised Programme Standards will go beyond just digital technology and cover character building, she added.
In fact, the new PS:ECE will include relevant knowledge and skills for teaching special needs children, all to equip children with the essential soft skills needed to navigate the constantly evolving and complex digital landscape.
ECE is a vital stage in a child’s development, and it is essential for preschool teachers to be well-trained and qualified.
The continual evolution of the community and the external environment has raised the call for improved professional development of educators to drive sustainability in the early childhood education sector.
In Malaysia, the ECE sector has experienced significant growth and changes in recent years, with an increasing demand for high-quality education for young children.
With this growth comes a need for highly qualified educators who can provide innovative and effective teaching methods, resulting in the implementation of the PS:ECE.
The quality of care provided to children in preschool is significantly impacted by the academic qualifications of their teachers.
Since the new ruling came into effect in January 2020, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of preschool teachers obtaining the necessary qualifications.
Approximately 80% of these teachers hold a diploma, the minimum requirement for a career in early childhood care.
“The first few years of a child’s life are critical in shaping their future, and it is our responsibility as educators to ensure that they receive quality care and education,” Mariani, who has been recently re-elected as ECCE Council Malaysia president, said.
“It is my hope to see a well-balanced future generation and for that to happen, all parties need to work together as a team with excellent networking from policymakers to the practitioners and communities as well as parents, regardless of the status quo of the ECCE sector in the country and worldwide.”
She asserted as “frontliners” in child development, all pre-school teachers should have the necessary qualifications and up-to-date know-how such as computer skills, and that SEGi has what these teachers need to take their careers to greater heights.
SEGi has been a trusted provider of early childhood programmes since 1999, producing thousands of highly qualified early childhood practitioners.
As the first private university to offer such programmes, SEGi has set a high standard in the industry.
In 2010, the institution was appointed as the champion for ECE educator training by PEMANDU for the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) Entry Point Project (EPP) 2, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in early childhood education.
For more information about all the programmes available at SEGi, visit www.segi.edu.my. – May 9, 2023
