Children Missing the Foundation
A Study on Key Determinants of Preschool Enrolment Among Children in Low-Cost Flats in Kuala Lumpur
Highlights
In this study, low-income families that reside in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur were surveyed to determine the enrolment rate of their children in preschool. Our findings show that there are four key factors that determine preschool enrolment for children from low-income families that reside in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur, namely: a) the age of the child, b) parental income, c) awareness among parents, and d) preschool capacity.
The report also provides insights on how parents from low-cost flats view preschool. Almost all parents from low-cost flats (96 per cent) place high importance on their children’s education. However, reasons cited by parents for not enrolling their children in preschool varies, depending on the age of the child. Another issue worth noting is the enrolment rate of children with disabilities. Almost 1 in 10 of parents with children aged 6 cited their child’s disability as the reason for not sending their children to preschool. This is because of mobility issues as well as the lack of facilities to provide the child proper care.
Based on the results, several recommendations are proposed to ensure upward mobility for every child regardless of income and making sure the children have at least a comparable start in educational access.
