Among them are twins, Siti Hazimah and Siti Hazirah Awal Ud-Din, who are graduating with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (DECE).
At 33, the twins from Johor already hold bachelor’s degrees in completely different fields – Siti Hazimah had studied furniture design while Siti Hazirah had pursued animal science.
But life took an unexpected turn when they volunteered to teach at PASTI while job hunting.
Said Siti Hazimah, “Before we knew it, our hearts were drawn to early childhood education and now, we’ve been teaching young children for over five years.
“We decided to pursue the DECE to improve our career prospects, and hope to get good positions in the public sector.”
Another DECE graduate is Muhammad Syafiqnaim Mohamad Sofi, 23, who is currently employed full-time in the manufacturing industry but wants to make a career switch.
“I have a deep passion for child development. I want to shape their minds and make a positive impact on their futures.
“Sure, I work as a material controller now, but my skills – like organisation, critical thinking, and time management – are perfect for teaching. I’d like to apply these skills in a classroom!”
These graduates represent a growing interest in early childhood education (ECE) – a field that is becoming much more important in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
To fulfil the need for more trained ECE teachers and caregivers, OUM offers ECE at three levels – Diploma, Bachelor, and Master.
According to Master of Early Childhood Education Programme Director, Dr Mahani Abdul Malik, “We are in an era where children face a clash between modern technology and their biological development. It is affecting their ability to think, learn, and behave, leading to rising cases of distractibility and behavioural issues.
“The environment children are growing up in has changed drastically – many parents use electronic devices as a babysitter for their children.
“This ‘digital babysitting’ reduces their real-world interaction and exploration, which are essential for cognitive and emotional growth.”
“Unfortunately, the current focus in Malaysia (and many other countries) remains largely on academic achievement, often at the expense of emotional and social development.”
Recent tragic cases in Malaysia have also highlighted the dire consequences of a lack of proper knowledge and training in caregiving.
The heart-breaking death of an infant who choked on excessive milk in recent times underscores the critical need for caregivers to be trained in basic safety and infant care practices.
“It is a powerful reminder of the importance of proper training for everyone involved in a child’s life, whether they are parents, babysitters, or teachers,” said Dr Mahani, stressing that caregivers of young and special needs children must possess both emotional intelligence and technical knowledge to provide a safe and nurturing environment.
“We want our ECE graduates to be fully prepared for the complex realities of childcare and education, so our ECE programmes provide both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience,” said Dr Mahani.
“We offer internships, workshops, and short courses by collaborating with industry leaders and special education centres as we want our students to be able to apply their learning in real-world settings.
“This type of exposure is crucial, as it helps future educators develop the confidence and problem-solving skills they need to address the diverse challenges they will face.”
Dr Mahani added that through these programmes, educators are not only taught how to support a child’s cognitive development but also how to foster emotional and social growth – both of which are equally important in shaping a well-rounded individual.
OUM is a digital university that provides fully online learning, making it easy for working adults to work and study at the same time, enabling them to study anywhere anytime, at their own pace and convenience.
With the motto “University for All,” the University accepts students through both the traditional route and the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), which considers your work experience. You can not only gain admission but also shorten your study duration and graduate faster.
It offers 57 programmes under four faculties – Education; Business and Management; Technology and Applied Sciences; and Social Sciences and Humanities.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, OUM has produced more than 100,000 graduates thus far and currently has approximately 35,000 active students.
If you are interested in the field of ECE and want to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a trained caregiver or educator, visit www.oum.edu.my, call 03-7801 2000 or write to enquiries@oum.edu.my.
