Fatimah (back row, centre) and others witness the MoA exchange between Ayub (front left) and Matsuzaka. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (April 22): Sarawak is rolling out an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven early childhood screening programme across all SeDidik preschools following the formalisation of a collaboration between SeDidik Sdn Bhd and Toybox Creations and Technologies Sdn Bhd (TOY8).
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the initiative marks a key step in strengthening early detection and intervention, in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“With an approved allocation of RM1.9 million for the first year, this initiative launches a multi-year early intervention master plan,” she said at the memorandum of agreement (MoA) exchange ceremony held at OSEIC Metrocity Matang here yesterday.
Fatimah said the programme aims to train 140 SeDidik teachers and conduct developmental screenings for 1,800 children statewide by 2027.
Fatimah said the collaboration integrates TOY8’s smartphone-based application into classrooms, allowing teachers to assess children’s developmental milestones through a simple 20-minute activity.
“This reduces reliance on clinical settings and shortens waiting time for initial assessment, while enabling teachers to generate reports and develop Individualised Education Programmes.
“AI does not replace teachers, it enhances their capabilities,” she said.
Fatimah noted that Sarawak has achieved a preschool enrolment rate of 98.46 per cent, but this has also led to increased demand for intervention services.
The One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC), originally designed to support 100 children, is now facing a waiting list of 439, compounded by a shortage of specialists.
Fatimah said the initiative is designed to complement OSEIC’s role, with SeDidik acting as the frontline for early detection while OSEIC focuses on specialised diagnosis and therapy.
She said pilot programmes have already shown encouraging results, with over 200 children screened, including those on the waiting list, and several successfully transitioning into mainstream preschools.
“This allows OSEIC to concentrate its resources on children with more complex needs, creating a more efficient and responsive system.”
She added that the initiative ensures children across Sarawak, including those in rural areas, have access to developmental screening simply by attending preschool.
“This ensures no child is left behind due to geography, income or access to services,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata described the collaboration as a significant milestone in Malaysia–Japan cooperation in child development and inclusive education.
He said early identification and tailored support are essential to assisting children realise their full potential, noting that TOY8’s digital screening programme integrates Japanese expertise with technology to address gaps in access across Asean.
“I am convinced this initiative will help reduce disparities in developmental support and serve as a model not only for Malaysia, but also for other Asean countries,” he said.
Noriyuki added that the programme could also represent a form of ‘reverse innovation’, where solutions developed in Sarawak may benefit other regions, including Japan.
Also present were Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia Sarawak Regional Office director Fenny Nuli, Fatimah’s deputy Datuk Rosey Yunus, TOY8 co-founder and co-chief executive officer Shun Matsuzaka, and SeDidik Sarawak general manager Ayub Dahari.
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