Enhancing Early Childhood Care and Education Governance for Quality Standards of Education in Malaysia

Children are valuable assets for the nations. Global organizations like UNICEF and the OECD highlight the importance of high-quality ECCE, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. In Malaysia, the governance of ECCE is separated into different agencies. This qualitative study applied in-depth interviews with key informants from four leading agencies involved in ECCE governance. The findings show that the legislative framework, historical aspects, and the differences in roles and functions influence the separation of the ECCE governance in Malaysia. Thus, clear standard is needed to enhance the monitoring and assessment of the delivery of ECCE services.