KUCHING – Sarawak is taking a major step in strengthening its early childhood education system through the Sedidik Center of Excellence (ScoE), a pilot initiative designed to nurture creativity, digital literacy, and holistic talent development among children.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the establishment of ScoE goes beyond providing kindergarten education. Instead, it serves as a strategic platform to develop a younger generation that is confident, skilled, and well-prepared for future challenges.
Among ScoE’s flagship programmes is Young Orators, which trains children as young as six in public speaking in collaboration with the Toastmasters Club. Fatimah noted that the aim is not only to produce articulate speakers but also to build self-confidence and resilience in young learners.
Another initiative, the Young Writers Programme, has already resulted in the creation of more than 523 original children’s books written and illustrated by students across seven divisions of Sarawak, supported by the Singapore Book Council. Teachers at ScoE are also trained as publishers, with the publication of children’s works being used as a benchmark for annual achievement.
The centre places strong emphasis on physical and artistic growth through activities such as Kinder Music, Kinder Gym, and Kinder Martial Arts, which enhance motor skills and self-esteem. On the digital front, ScoE has rolled out the Kids Bits and Bytes programme with the Rothschneider Foundation, introducing children as young as four to basic computer programming. Plans are underway to expand this with an artificial intelligence (AI) learning module, marking a step forward in early digital education.
Recognising the growing interest in creative expression, Fatimah also suggested photography as a future programme to give children more avenues to explore their talents.
Currently, ScoE Kuching functions as a pilot model and will be expanded gradually to kindergartens across Sarawak through a rotational approach. Fatimah emphasised that this strategy ensures every child in the state will have access to equal opportunities to develop their potential.
“Every Sarawakian child deserves the space and opportunity to showcase their talents. Therefore, ScoE is a platform to make that dream a reality,” she said during her visit to ScoE Kuching.
