Kuala lumpur: The preschool curriculum in all government and private kindergartens should be standardised to ensure equitable quality in early childhood education. Education expert Prof Datin Dr Mariani Md Nor, who is also the acting vice-chancellor of SEGi University, said the proposal was among seven resolutions she presented at the Bumiputera Education Congress 2026 held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mariani highlighted that currently, there are various categories of preschools, such as KEMAS, Perpaduan, and private kindergartens, which adopt different curricula. This inconsistency persists despite comprehensive discussions during the development of the national preschool curriculum. 'Why not standardise the curriculum and eliminate the 'caste' in preschool education?' she posed while speaking as a panellist in Session 3: Empowering Preschool Education.

Mariani further suggested that the government should elevate the status of preschool teachers to a formal profession. She drew comparisons to education systems abroad, where the teaching career is highly regarded, with qualifications extending to the doctoral level. She asserted that this approach would enhance the quality and perception of preschool education.

Other resolutions proposed by Mariani include continuous monitoring of teachers' competencies and strengthening parental support systems, especially for children requiring special attention. 'Therefore, there is a need to enhance early intervention systems so that these children can be identified at an early stage, enabling us to guide them in the same way as other children,' she emphasized.

Additionally, Mariani advocated for the implementation of integrated education through the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) approach. This approach would utilize information technology while emphasizing an inclusive and high-quality learning environment, ensuring that every child benefits from a robust educational foundation.