5.6.3 : Childcare facilities for students
Accessible Childcare
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) provides direct, tangible support to student mothers by operating Taska Ihsan, an accessible and high-quality childcare facility strategically located within the UTM Johor Bahru campus area. Taska Ihsan, managed by the UTM Islamic Centre, is a crucial institutional mechanism designed to facilitate the participation and success of student mothers in university courses, directly addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
The facility offers specialized care for children ranging from two (2) months up to four (4) years old, ensuring that recent mothers, particularly those with infants, can resume and concentrate on their academic commitments. By accepting children as young as two months, the service demonstrates a strong commitment to immediate, post-maternity return to study.
Key aspects that ensure the facility's impact and accessibility for students include:
- Priority and Reduced Cost: Taska Ihsan offers lower monthly fee structures for UTM students (and staff) compared to international students and the general public, lowering the financial barrier to accessing quality childcare.
- Convenient Hours and Location: The Taska's location within the campus and its operational hours (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Sunday to Wednesday, and 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Thursday) align with the demanding schedule of university courses, allowing mothers to attend lectures, labs, and research sessions without the logistical anxiety of off-campus childcare.
- Quality Educational Environment: The facility is designed as a "child-friendly premises" that prioritizes safety, health, and cleanliness, providing structured educational and development activities for various age groups.
By providing this subsidized, on-campus, and comprehensive early childhood care, UTM systematically removes a major structural barrier, empowering student mothers to continue their studies, complete their degrees, and achieve academic success.
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