Malaysia's Permata Programmes Eye-Opener For Zambian First Lady

By Balqis Jamaludin KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Bernama) -- Zambian First Lady, Esther Lungu is impressed with the Malaysian Permata Negara programmes and intends to take back some of the good values to her country. The wife of President Edgar Lungu, who is here to attend the inaugural Permata International Conference (PIC) 2016 said Permata programmes were an eye- opener for her, especially in early childhood education and care (ECEC). She hoped Zambia could learn more from Malaysia on the successful practices in developing ECEC, such as the Permata Seni programme that focused on developing children's talent through dancing and music. "Besides, it can be one of the educational tools...such activities can keep children away from immoral activities like drugs, and encourage them to go to school. "In Zambia, we have the music and dancing programmes but not to the level of where Malaysia is, so I think we need to see how we can improve," she said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here Wednesday. Lungu hoped that one day, Zambia would be on the same education level as Malaysia, offering free education in almost every level. She said in Zambia, free education was only offered at the primary level and it was a bit expensive at the tertiary level especially, adding that Zambia would like to collaborate with Malaysia to adopt Permata Kurnia's initiative and programmes in the republic. She said the collaboration could be in attachment programme of teachers and doctors from Zambia in Malaysia so they could learn the mode of nurturing autistic children. The Permata Kurnia centre which began its operations last November offers pre-school education programme for autistic children aged between four and seven. Lungu said she had conveyed her intention for collaboration to the prime minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, who is also patron of Permata Negara. She also visited the Women's Institute of Management (WMI) Wednesday, and was impressed with the institute's efforts in organising 691 courses and events for 30,480 participants, mostly free training courses for disadvantaged women in Malaysia. WMI was incorporated in 1993 to promote the leadership of women in all sectors, to provide skills training for women to gain access to income and provide partnership development for the total community. -- BERMATA