PENANG is collaborating with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to assist underprivileged families through the newly launched Buddhist Tzu Chi Kindergarten Hope Education Programme.
This initiative offers fully subsidised early education for children from five care categories — orphans, single-parent families, children with disabled parents, those raised by grandparents, and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) low-income households — aiming to give every child an equal start in life.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the initiative was a meaningful effort that truly made education the starting point of hope for those in need.
“Education can change destiny. I sincerely thank the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation for its long-standing dedication to education and social welfare.
“Education is not only the seed of knowledge but also a stabilising force for society.
“Let us work hand in hand to pave the way for our children, so that every young heart finds support and every step forward is filled with hope,” she said during her visit to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Education Centre yesterday.
Lim said she would convene and invite state assemblymen and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillors to learn about the programme and help identify eligible families in their constituencies.
She added that local non-governmental organisations would also be invited to collaborate and extend the initiative’s reach to more families that fit the five care categories.
Lim noted that some of the council’s staff come from the B40 group and may also benefit from the scheme.
Councillor Tan Soo Siang, who was present, expressed full support for the programme and hoped it would be expanded.
Lim said the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation believes every child is born with a kind and pure heart, and that love-based education can nurture a more caring society.
“Tzu Chi Kindergartens place emphasis not only on academic learning but also on character development, gratitude and social responsibility,” she added.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Education Centre board of managers member Neoh Ee Pheng said the foundation’s education arm has been established in Malaysia for 26 years and has focused on holistic education since the pandemic to help children from low-income families return to classrooms.
She said the Hope Education Programme will also support enrolment for Tzu Chi Kindergartens in 2026.
Tzu Chi currently operates kindergartens on Penang Island, Butterworth, Nibong Tebal, Kedah and Johor Bahru.
Families who meet the eligibility criteria can contact Tzu Chi hotlines for details and enrolment assistance. The programme is open to Malaysian children born in 2021 from the five care categories.
For details, contact those centres at :
Penang Island: 04-226 7703
Butterworth: 04-313 0810
Nibong Tebal: 04-593 7703
Among those present were George Town Buddhist Tzu Chi Volunteers person-in-charge Kenny Lim.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian