The Malaysia Education Star Awards (MESA) 2025, held at the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel, brought together Malaysia’s most passionate educators, innovative preschools, and committed education partners to celebrate leadership and excellence in early childhood education.
Organised by Kiddy123, Malaysia’s leading early childhood education platform, the annual MESA Awards is the nation’s most prestigious event dedicated exclusively to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector.
Returning for its second year, MESA continues to set a national benchmark for quality, innovation, and trust, recognising schools and educators shaping the lives of children under the age of nine.
Unlike other education awards, MESA focuses specifically on the foundation years of learning, acknowledging that the early years are where lifelong skills, creativity, and confidence take root.
More Than an Award: A Catalyst for Progress
For Kiddy123, MESA represents far more than an awards ceremony. It is a platform for transformation—a movement that uplifts educators, strengthens trust among parents, and empowers institutions to achieve new standards of excellence.
By providing credible recognition, MESA enables schools and organisations to stand out in a competitive market, attract enrolments, and form strategic partnerships. For many winners, the award serves as validation for years of dedication and innovation in nurturing Malaysia’s next generation.
This year’s event, attended by over 200 educators, principals, business leaders, and parents, reflected MESA’s mission to Illuminate, Innovate, and Inspire—the three pillars guiding Malaysia’s early education community.
Empowering Malaysia’s ECCE Sector
The ceremony was graced by Yang Berhormat Yeo Bee Yin, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Women, Children and Community Development, and Member of Parliament for Puchong. Her keynote speech underlined the crucial role of the ECCE sector in shaping Malaysia’s social and economic future.
She emphasised the high return on investment (ROI) of investing in early childhood development, stating,
“If you invest in early childhood and even prenatal care, your return on investment for the country is higher. Every RM1 spent in early childhood education yields greater returns than investments in primary, secondary, or job training.”
Yeo also proposed that the government consolidate ECCE responsibilities under a single dedicated authority, simplifying support systems, training, and subsidies. “With one streamlined agency,” she explained, “we can ensure consistent policies and better resource management.”
Her vision was clear: Malaysia must prioritise early childhood education as the foundation for national progress.
Celebrating Industry Leaders and Innovators
The event brought together key figures in the Malaysian ECCE ecosystem, including Professor Adjung Norsheila binti Abdullah A.M.N, President of Persatuan Pengasuhan dan Perkembangan Awal Kanak-kanak Berdaftar Malaysia (PPBM), and Eveleen Khoo, Chairman of Persatuan Tadika Malaysia (PTM).
Their presence reaffirmed MESA’s role in uniting the early childhood community across public, private, and non-profit sectors.
This year’s awards recognised outstanding institutions and educators across more than ten categories, including Best Childcare Brand, Best Trilingual Preschool, and Best Early Intervention Centre. Each winner exemplified the innovation, care, and commitment needed to elevate early learning in Malaysia.
For many preschools and enrichment centres, MESA recognition serves as a business benchmark, enhancing credibility and parental trust. It signals excellence and reliability—two qualities parents seek when choosing the right foundation for their children’s education.
Insights from Education Experts
The afternoon also featured a powerful keynote address by Carolyn Choo, Head of the Department of Education (Early Childhood) at SEGi University and Colleges and President of the ECCE Council. Speaking on the theme “Resilience as the Future of ECCE: Thriving Through Change and Opportunity,” she highlighted how the ECCE sector must evolve amidst demographic shifts, curriculum reforms, and growing emphasis on child wellbeing.
“Malaysia’s ECCE sector is not just recovering—it’s redefining resilience,” she said. “Through strong governance, innovative teaching, and continued professional development, we can ensure this industry remains sustainable and future-ready.”
She also discussed initiatives under the ECCE Council’s draft Act and SEGi’s resilience-focused programmes, which aim to strengthen Malaysia’s early education landscape for years to come.
Recognising the Heart of Education
In his address, Y.E. Cheong, Co-founder of Kiddy123, highlighted the transformative impact of educators and the importance of collaboration.
“MESA was created to recognise outstanding schools, institutions, and educators who make a difference in children’s education. More importantly, it’s a platform for leaders to connect, share ideas, and grow together.”
He expressed hope that MESA would not only honour this year’s winners but also inspire others to pursue excellence, helping to raise national standards and enhance the overall quality of Malaysian early education.
Building the Future of Malaysia’s Education Landscape
MESA’s broader mission extends beyond awards—it aims to unite schools, NGOs, and policymakers to address challenges in early education, strengthen teacher training, and improve accessibility nationwide. By setting clear benchmarks of excellence, MESA encourages preschools and kindergartens to continuously innovate and improve.
The 2025 event was supported by a strong network of sponsors and collaborators, including GL Play, Kiddypedia, and Crayola by Pansing Marketing Sdn Bhd, alongside Pilot Pen Malaysia, BookXcess, Bintang Playhouse, PlanToys Malaysia, and Starbucks Malaysia. Their involvement reflects the growing synergy between corporate leadership and education development, fostering a shared responsibility for the nation’s youngest learners.
As the afternoon concluded, MESA 2025 reaffirmed its core vision—to celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and raise the standard of early childhood education in Malaysia.
With leaders like Kiddy123 at the forefront, Malaysia’s early childhood education sector is well-positioned to thrive, delivering lifelong benefits for children, families, and society as a whole.
To learn more about Kiddy123, please visit: https://www.kiddy123.com/
Keywords:
- MESA 2025,
- Malaysia Education Star Awards,
- early childhood education Malaysia,
- ECCE Malaysia,
- Kiddy123,
- preschool awards Malaysia,
- Yeo Bee Yin,
- education excellence
