KUCHING: SeDidik’s pilot Digital Developmental Screening and Intervention Programme which was launched this year will be expanded to 25 centres in 2025.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this was agreed to during its board meeting.
“Special needs children, in particular, lacked access to early intervention. They missed the chance to undergo early intervention at the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC), Kuching. So, when they enter SeDidik preschools, they have not yet been assessed or screened for their specific disabilities.
“Therefore, we collaborated with Toy8. This ensures that special needs children entering SeDidik preschools can undergo digital developmental screening and immediately receive intervention.
“In 2025, we will develop the digital developmental screening and intervention further, in line with our policy of inclusive education,” she said at the 33rd Convocation Ceremony of SeDidik of Kuching and Kota Samarahan Zones here Saturday (Dec 7).
Fatimah added that through this pilot programme, uniquely available at SeDidik, 20 out of 185 children screened were identified for intervention.
“Given the significant findings, SeDidik will expand the programme to 25 centres in 2025, targeting 300 children with 200 children in 2024 and additional 100 children in 2025.
“The Digital Developmental Screening and Intervention Programme, in collaboration with Toy8, was developed with Universiti Malaya, Sunway University, and Japanese clinical psychologists.
“The Toy8 application assesses four key developmental areas which are the receptive language, expressive language, cognitive skills, and fine motor skills. This initiative is co-funded by the Japanese government and Hong Leong Foundation,” she said.
Also, she said through the Kids Bits & Bytes programme, digital literacy was introduced with funding from the Rolf Schnyder Welfare Foundation.
“At SeDidik, this programme was conducted in 64 centres (62 kindergartens and two daycare centres). A total of 713 children participated, including 28 children with special needs.
“One of the highlights of the programme was training teachers in fun learning methods such as coding, involving all 713 children. Additionally, 427 tablets were provided for the programme.
“This initiative is part of SeDidik’s continuous effort to equip children with 21st-century skills essential for their future,” she added.
The convocation ceremony celebrated 254 children from 22 SeDidik centres.
