Youth/Education

National Consultation on Early Childhood Education Policy

By Dominica News ⋅ October 7, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

By Lakisha La Bassiere-Q95FM News.
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Recently the National Consultation on Early Childhood Education Policy held its official opening ceremony at the Fort Young Hotel. The aim of this consultation was to focus on the importance of early childhood development in the education system.

Education Minister Vince Henderson stated that providing early childhood education is a very critical service and the principals and teachers alike face many challenges. He also stated that the ministry of education in collaboration with UNICEF is doing everything possible to aid in educating children up to the age of 8 years. Meantime, Acting Coordinator for Special Education, Mrs. Veda George, said that the Ministry of Education has formulated a plan for Dominica which centers on higher education for Dominicans particularly early childhood education. She also expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their role in early childhood education in Dominica and highlighted their contribution.

UNICEF Area Representative, Mr. Tom Olsen, placed great emphasis on the need for early childhood education. He believes these children are the future of the nation and the foundation built is laid for the basic, social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills that are used throughout life. He underscored teachers as playing a significant role in the development of a child.