Govt Preschool Opens Soon

Plans are moving rapidly towards the opening date of a model pre-school under the Ministry of Education's Early Childhood Education programme. Approximately 30 students will be enrolled when the institution opens on February 16 in the Simon Bolivar Park, St Johnson's village.

Education officials conducted a walk through of the facility on Thursday, to ascertain the scope of work needed to be completed before the scheduled opening date.

Embler Spencer, training officer in the Early Childhood Education Training Centre, says the model pre-school forms part of the Ministry of Education's mission of advancing early childhood education in the country.

"With this model school, private institutions will be able to get a visual on how exactly they should operate. We have a great deal to share with then, including what a pre-school should look like, teacher to child ratio, and programmes to be implemented among others.

The model will give pre-school operators a better understanding on how their plants should better function," she noted.

The first batch of students to enroll at the institution will be drawn from families in the lower socio-economic bracket living in the St. Johnson's, Sutherlands, Wireless and Clare Hall areas.

Chief Education Officer Mrs. Jacintha Pringle says the model pre-school is a significant undertaking, and her ministry is very excited about the facility becoming operational.

"If the Ministry of Education is saying we want to improve the standard of providers, then the necessary mechanisms must be in place to show providers of pre-schools what exactly is required when dealing with children."

Pringle said the centre will be fully equipped and has expressed confidence that all will be in place for the opening date.

"Lots of money will have to be expended on the part of the Ministry of Finance, and the Board of Education will be asked to provide funding
also, but everyone is working hard towards that opening date."

Additionally, a loan secured from UNESCO by the government will assist in the licensing process and training of teachers in early childhood education.

Three of the circular shaped buildings behind the JSC sports complex will be transformed into what is being described as interactive classrooms, where students will spend little time held up in one space, and more time in activities that will keep them active while stimulating their minds. An assessment of the buildings was carried out by a local contractor, and they were found to be satisfactory.

The pre-school will be a permanent fixture of the Ministry of Education.

Parents can uplift application forms from the ministry's headquarters starting Monday February 2, and returned to members of staff of the Early Childhood Learning Centre, who will be at the Simon Bolivar Park on Tuesday February 10.

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