UNICEF and Columbia University assists Ghana

Kumasi, Nov 18, GNA-The United Nations Children's Fund is collaborating with the Columbia University in the US, to assist Ghana and six other countries to develop child learning development standards that are internationally acceptable.

Mrs Margaret Okai, National Coordinator for Early Childhood Development Unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES), who announced this in Kumasi, named Jordan; Paraguay; Brazil; South Africa, Turkey and Philippines as the other beneficiary countries.

She was speaking at the launch of the sixth National Children's Festival in Kumasi on Thursday, by the GES, on the theme: "Professional Childcare, Going Beyond Minimum Standards".

Mrs Okai said the GES had collaborated with stakeholders to draft learning standards for Ghana, which would soon be subjected to a field validation.

Mr Lawrence Owusu-Banahene, Kejetia Circuit Supervisor of Education admonished parents to promote good values amongst their children by addressing them with encouraging words and not exhibiting anti-social mannerisms such as quarrelling and fighting in their presence.

He said professional childcare was a collective responsibility. The Reverend (Mrs) Hannah Owusu-Afriyie, National President of the Early Childhood Development Centres Association of Ghana, called on owners of pre-schools to promote viable alternatives in pre-school education.