ECD a Key in Providing Basic Education to Children
Chief Affairs Officer Pauline Simwaka in the Ministry of Gender and Community Development and Social Welfare has underscored the importance of providing early childhood education to children as it helps in nurturing children’s potential before starting their primary school education.
She made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for Little Buddy and Friends in area 47 Lilongwe on Monday.
She explained that ECD plays a crucial role in helping children to be well prepared before going to primary schools as they are able to associate with their peers, read, write and do all basic things that they will be doing during their primary education.
“The ministry of gender is working hand in hand with people who are doing ECD and CCBC across the country by providing trainings, resources and all the support available since ECD is fundamental when it comes to children upbringing so that they can be able to provide all the six developmental domains (socially, physically, emotionally and spiritual) to the children.
“I have witnessed the graduation here at Little Buddy and Friends and it shows that children are well groomed and trained to start another advanced stage of primary education as they are able to read, write and do all activities easily without guidance from their teachers”; explained Simwaka.
Khumbo Kachali Chirwa, who is the director of the school, explained that children are encouraged to attend day-to-day classes so that their transition to primary school should not be difficult since they become familiar with things from a young age as low as two years.
“The school provides a conducive environment for children that enables them to learn all the basic primary school activities through writing, reading, demonstration and others with the help of the caregivers who are very friendly, kind, loving, passionate and dedicated to their work.”
“By the end of each school year, children are able to develop physically, emotionally, spiritually, and cognitively by using different playing materials that help them to develop fully from the beginning of the term to the end”; explained Chirwa.
She has further added that the children are also able to transition smoothly to primary school and parents are encouraged to support their children when it comes to academic activities from as early as two years old so they can be nurtured and develop properly before starting their primary education.
One of the parents during the graduation ceremony, Dingase Luwe Malaidza, explained that a transformation has been observed from the graduating children compared to when they were starting their studies.
“It has been a huge transformation from the time the children started school up to now as they are able to do things independently without needing help from parents or their caregivers; they are able to socialize with people easily, something that could help them when they will start primary school come September.
“I believe they will be able to easily adapt to the new environment once they start their studies at their primary schools and this is all thanks to the school management for their dedication, support, care and love to the children”; she added.
She has however encouraged people to invest in their children’s basic education in order to help them develop in all the six developmental domains before going to primary school.