By ALICE NACHILEMBE
National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) says that pre-school should become compulsory.
NAQEZ Executive Director Aaron Chansa said world over, pre-school is crucial because it gives children the necessary foundation, readiness for formal school and assured success in later academic life.
Mr Chansa said research reveals that children who graduate from pre-schools have strong footings in innovation.
“A child who has been through to pre- school enjoys school, is easily taught, and is emotionally and socially intelligent. Pre-schooling provides an opportunity for children to learn in ways which interests them, building a positive association with learning. The academic place of ECE in modern-day society is, therefore, indispensable,” he said.
He said out of more than 10,400 primary schools, there are only about 4,880 Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres or pre-schools (as they are commonly known) in Zambia.
Mr Chansa said the low uptake of early childhood education by Zambian children has terrible effects on the quality of the entire education system and the nature of human resources the country is mobilizing for national development.
“Going forward in Zambia, pre- school must be part of the entire education system and should be the statutory academic starting point. Once properly done, the educational foundations will become stronger and better for quality teaching and learning in both primary and secondary schools,” he said.
He said pre- school is the most important level of education because it is the most foundational stage of formal education provision.
Mr Chansa said that all Zambians deserve to take their children to ECE centres or pre-schools (as they are commonly known).
