Good kindergarten still needed

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta residences are badly in need of more qualified kindergartens, a leader of a kindergarten organization has said.

Siti Fatimah AM, chairwoman of the Body for the Development of Islamic Kindergartens, said here Friday that the rising demand is quite understandable because Jakarta citizens are now better educated.

"Today, money doesn't matter so much because it is quality that is more important to the people," Antara quoted Fatimah as saying.

She added that what is very urgent for people now is that their need for "value-added kindergartens" is met. She did not elaborate.

"So, now it is high time for school organizations -- especially the private ones -- to think about how to increase the quality of their curricula."

According to Fatimah, organizations which still work with the outdated traditional system, or lack seriousness, will one day be disregarded by the people.

"So many underrated kindergartens have stopped operations in Jakarta," she said.

Fatimah said that her organization will celebrate its 17th anniversary at the end of this month by holding a seminar on education of Moslem children under five years of age.

It will also sponsor an Islamic mass dancing contest at the Senayan Sports Hall on Nov. 30, she said. (05)