Childhood educators upgrade knowledge on new KG curriculum

Bawku (U/E), Dec. 18, GNA - A three-day intensive (GES) workshop on the new curriculum for Kindergarten Centres (KGCs) has been held at Bawku for 58 early childhood development educators to upgrade their teaching skills.

It was organised by the Teacher Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) through a United Nations International Children's Education Fund (UNICEF) sponsorship. Topics treated include Language and Literacy, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Creative Art, Music and Dance, Physical Development and Health Education and Safety.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Municipal Education Director, Madam Florence Bobi, said the nation stands to gain tremendously with the absorption of KGCs into the mainstream educational policy. She said the absorption of KGCs aims at expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education for the vulnerable and disadvantaged child.

That, she added, should remind the state to put in place adequate structures and measures to ensure the child's right to quality and affordable education.

Madam Bobi explained that it was in line with this objective that the new curriculum had been prepared for the KG level and expressed optimism that it would guide the teachers to address the decline in educational standards.

She reminded the teachers to be mindful of the children's interest and curiosity which motivate them to learn and enjoined then to provide adequate space for active playing and secured environment for restful activities.

The Municipal Coordinator for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Madam Rebecca Awuga, explained that the programme was designed towards the concept of early childhood education and care for the survival, growth, education and development of the child. She said the new curriculum is to identity the needs of the child and to adopt the appropriate techniques needed to ensure that the child receive quality attention to develop.

Mad. Awuga said a team of officers would constantly inspect their output in the classroom and called on the educators to apply what they have learnt to make their lessons efficient.

She called on the participants to discard the notion that those who teach at the lower classes were not competent educators, adding that they rather need to adopt practical experiences to teach.

She was optimistic that the educators would use the knowledge gained extensively for a greater impact on the children.