Scholarship to increase participation of women in early childhood education 

Despite recruitment drives for the early childhood education (ECE) sector and steps to make the profession more attractive, it is still hard to recruit and retain pre-school teachers.

Additionally, the disruption brought about by the pandemic has placed Malaysia as one of the countries with a high turnover rate of 40% in the ECE industry.

Recognising the root of the problem in the education ecosystem as a whole, Malaysian education group YelaoShr aims to address the existing market gap of low pay, long working hours and unstable professional growth through YelaoShr Education College (YEC).

With that in mind, YEC is on a mission to increase the talent pool and provide women with progressive career growth in the ECE industry through their certified technical and vocational education and training programme approved by the National Technology Development Authority of Malaysia (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran) and Co-operative Societies Commission of Malaysia (SKM).

Scholarship for early childhood education

In light of their efforts to increase the participation of women in the ECE industry, YEC is opening scholarships worth up to RM1,750,000 for all female Malaysians.

Upon passing the interview stage, 50 applicants will receive a full-tuition scholarship of RM35,000 each to provide an affordable and equal opportunity for all women toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

This is extended to talented young females from B40 families, females who have completed their SPM, STPM, UEC, working women and more.

“As we progress forward as a nation, there is still a lack of awareness and talent deficiency surrounding the ECE industry. YEC addresses this scarcity by empowering women from diverse backgrounds, unemployed graduates, mothers or even working adults to explore and grow in the ECE industry in Malaysia. This will help us build the industry and to bridge the talent shortage in this ECE sector,” said David Yap, Founder and CEO of YelaoShr Education College.

Shaping the future of the female educators

Breaking through conventional educational structures, YEC’s technical diploma focuses on shaping future female educators for the ECE industry with their 20% formal education which will help them understand the industry and the remaining 80% leaning more towards practical courses with the group’s subsidiary company, YelaoShr education centres.

“At our education centres, these trainee teachers will be able to gain hands-on experience to understand different children and their capabilities with our unique teaching methods before they start a career as certified graduates. It provides adequate training to these trainee teachers to be able to match the growing needs of students and parents in the classroom and beyond,” said David.

Under the guidance of over 400 certified and trained professionals from the YelaoShr education centre, trainee teachers will not be spending hours in classrooms and listening to lectures; instead, they will receive comprehensive education and training by attending over 60 assigned YelaoShr centres to study on-site problem-solving with children, whilst starting an internship at the same time to ensure that trainee teachers understand and hone their potential.

Besides that, graduates will also have the knowledge and skills to found their own centres and thereby start their own businesses. With their diploma issued by YEC’s partner college from the Warnborough College UK, trainee teachers will also be able to connect with international institutions of higher learning to further specialise in preschool education in the future, should they wish to continue their studies.

Scholarship applications can be made online at https://yec.edu.my/ and will close on 23 January 2023.