BANTING, 9 FEB: The Federal Government has been advised to be open and to not block any kindergartens under its ministries from joining the Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (TUNAS), introduced by the State Government.
According to Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali, most parents who send their children to federal government kindergartens want to receive benefits from the Tunas scheme.
However, she said that a large number of parents are intimidated by claims that it has to get the ‘green light’ from the Ministry of Education.
“We hope for the Umno-BN government, who wants to make a transformation, to have an open attitude. The State Government policy is for all irrespective of political affiliation.
“Although Kemas (Ministry of Community Development) kindergarten fees are not much, if they join this scheme, they completely do not have to pay (the fees).
“We have not blocked any members of Pakatan Rakyat from receiving schemes offered by Umno-BN, so we wish that they would not do so too.
“We have to be professional,” she said when officiating the opening ceremony for the 2012, Eighth Series for the Kuala Langat Stage, Tunas Tour Carnival held at the Harmony Hall at Kampung Sungai Lang Tengah here today.
The Tunas scheme under the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) agenda is an assistance for kindergarten fees of RM50 per month for low-income families to send their children to kindergarten.
The RM50 aid is paid directly to kindergartens registered under the Selangor Kindergarten Collaborative Council (MPTS).
Also present was the Dengkil constituency Coordinator, Borhan Aman Shah as well as the participation of over 500 people.
In today’s event, more than 30 kindergartens under the Kuala Langat district registered under the Tunas scheme.
Since its introduction on 1 July 2012, a total of 217 kindergarten and preschool applications have been accepted by the end of year 2012. Meanwhile there are 339 applications for the year 2013, as of 31 January 2013.
A total of 1,903 parents have also submitted applications for the Tunas Scheme for the year 2012, while 1,800 applicants have been recorded as of 31 January 2013.
For the year 2013, MPTS has a target of 5,000 parent’s applications for the Tunas Scheme until the end of December.
So far, the Klang district recorded the highest amount of applications with 528 applications for the year 2012 and 409 as of 31 January 2013.
Hulu Selangor district recorded the lowest number of applications for the year 2012 with only 22 applications while the Sepang district has only 8 applicants so far.
In terms of the total cost, RM214,175 have already been paid for the year 2012 while for January 2013, RM90,000 have already been paid out.
Overall, the Malay community has the highest amount, 89 percent, of applications followed by 9 percent from the Chinese community and 2 percent from the Indian community.