KUALA LUMPUR: The Child Development Department, which was recently established, is set to become fully independent from the Social Welfare Department by 2026, according to Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. She highlighted that this transition will involve the gradual recruitment of 965 new personnel over the next few years, with those hired this year starting their duties in 2024. Additionally, the department will need to allocate funds for office spaces across the country in upcoming years.
In line with these developments, the Child Development Department aims to hire 448 contract employees during its initial phase from 2022-2023, followed by 169 in 2024, and 348 in 2025 and 2026, as stated in their fact sheet. Minister Nancy also mentioned the government’s consideration of certifying and providing training for caregivers working with the elderly, disabled, and children. She emphasized the increasing need for skilled caregivers, not only for the elderly but also for the disabled and children.
To address this shortage, the ministry plans to utilize the Malaysian Social Institute to train aspiring caregivers and bring them together. The certification and training are expected to be made mandatory and supervised by the ministry. The aim is to provide these caregivers with a diploma qualification, although the details are still being worked out as the ministry has recently submitted the proposal for consideration in the upcoming Federal Budget.
On September 1, the Child Development Department officially replaced the Children’s Section within the Social Welfare Department, as announced in the 2023 Budget by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on February 24. Minister Nancy clarified that there are currently no plans to establish a dedicated department for senior citizens, as the decision lies with the Economy Ministry.
Highlighting the responsibility of the Economy Ministry regarding the aging population, Minister Nancy stated that the plans for addressing this issue are not within her jurisdiction. When asked about the possibility of a specific department for senior citizens following the establishment of the Child Development Department, she suggested directing queries to Minister Rafizi Ramli. Previously, advocacy groups for the elderly have called for a designated ministry or department for senior citizens. The Statistics Department projected that by 2030, Malaysia will become an aging nation, with the population of those aged 60 and above accounting for 15.3% of the total population.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
