77 kindergarten teachers enroll for diploma programme

KOTA KINABALU – Seventy-seven candidates have successfully registered and enrolled with Sidma College Bundusan Commercial Centre and are now currently attending classes.

A unique feature of the 2½ year-diploma programme that was negotiated by AECEC is that classes are held during the weekends so as not to interfere with teaching work during the week in the schools.

The Archdiocesan Early Childhood Committee (AECEC) advertised to the Catholic mission kindergartens in the latter part of 2016 of the plan to train teachers who do not yet possess the Diploma in Early Childhood Education (DECE). The Ministry of Education had announced earlier that this qualification is mandatory for teachers in pre-schools (taska and tadika) by 2020.

The responses from the schools were very encouraging, with other Christian kindergartens also wanting to participate in the archdiocesan arranged programme. Candidates came from as far as Kota Belud, Tuaran, Bundu Tuhan, Ranau, Beluran, Paitan, Keningau, Pensiangan, Apin Apin and Tawau. The majority came from the Greater Kota Kinabalu area.

Following the hectic activity of screening and shortlisting over 100 applications, AECEC kicked off their activities in 2017 with a briefing to 80 DECE shortlisted candidates on the requirements and expectations of the diploma course on 27 Feb 2017 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing.

On Mar 3, Archbishop John Wong met with 66 members of the Board of Governors (BOG) from the mission kindergartens, and briefed them on the mechanism of the implementation and coordination of the programme. Among the attendees were members from the newly registered mission kindergartens (started operating in January 2017) from Tadika Sacred Heart Inobong, Tadika Santo Simon Duvanson, Tadika Santo Peter Tombovo, Tadika Pelangi St James Tenghilan, Tadika Gembala Baik Himbaan and Tadika St Theresa Kota Marudu. – AECEC/Ephraim Kouju