SPIC2026: Professional Code of Ethics Commitment to Protect Children

KUCHING, 27 Sept: The commitment to the Code of Early Childhood Professional Ethics is among the key outcomes of the Sarawak International Pre-School Convention (SPIC2026) as a commitment by all parties to ensure responsibility towards children is implemented with integrity, fairness, compassion and professionalism.

Sarawak Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the pledge was a promise to children and families who put their trust in the government, government agencies as well as TASKA operators and registered toddlers.

According to him, the commitment is in line with SPIC2026 theme 'Children Are Important', which emphasizes responsibility for ensuring children's safety is not compromised, dignity is respected, voices are heard and individual needs are recognised.

"Professional ethics should be translated into everyday actions including when communicating with children and parents, dealing with challenging behaviors, protecting confidential information and providing support to children who need extra attention.

"These children may not be able to talk when something is wrong or when they need something. Therefore, we as adults must be concerned, responsible and worthy of receiving that trust", he said while addressing the closing session of Sarawak International Pre-School Convention 2026 here today.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said that the three-day SPIC2026 event provided an opportunity for early childhood education and care activists to increase knowledge, motivation and diversify approaches in fulfilling their respective responsibilities.

"Sharing of expertise from foreign experts can also be a benchmark in the implementation of Sarawak's Early Childhood Education and Care Framework (ECCE).

"We urge educators to learn and apply the shared approaches of inclusive teacher awardees throughout the convention by tailoring them to the needs of their respective classrooms", he said.

SPIC2026 taking place from 25 to 27 September at the Waterfront Kuching Hotel brought together 350 participants physically, including from Singapore and Japan, while 1,302 other participants attended the convention online.