DEBAK: The Parenting Skills Workshop organised by the Early Childhood Education Unit of the Community Development Department (KEMAS) Betong Division is seen as a significant step towards strengthening family institutions in rural areas.

The official closing ceremony of the workshop, held this morning, was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, who expressed his appreciation to the organisers for their commendable initiative.

According to him, programmes like this play a vital role in shaping a resilient and well-rounded society, starting with strong and informed families.

“Today, the role of parents goes far beyond providing for their children’s basic needs — it now includes shaping moral character, instilling positive values, and offering emotional and spiritual guidance.

“In this digital age, parents must be wise in managing the influence of technology, such as gadgets, on their children’s development,” he said.

He also praised the inclusion of a talk titled 'The Influence of Gadgets on the Development of Children Aged 4 to 6 Years' as part of the workshop, describing it as highly relevant to today’s challenges.

In his speech, he further emphasised the Sarawak Government’s strong commitment to early childhood education, particularly through the vital role of Taman Bimbingan Kanak-Kanak (TABIKA), which not only teaches academic fundamentals but also helps shape character and identity from an early age.

Proudly, KEMAS Betong Division is now actively implementing the Tabika Pra-Tahfiz programme, with 12 classes currently running across the area, including within the state constituencies of Layar, Bukit Saban, and Saribas — all with the aim of nurturing young huffaz from as early as five years old.

Datuk Mohammad Razi, who is also the State Assemblyman for Saribas, called on all levels of society to continue supporting KEMAS’ efforts in making TABIKA KEMAS a trusted and high-quality community learning centre.

He added that the workshop not only empowers parents with knowledge and awareness but also strengthens the support network within the community, where everyone plays a role in raising children in a nurturing and encouraging environment.

“A strong foundation in early education is one of the best investments we can make for our children’s future,” he said. -UKASnews