Lecturer calls for review of Early childhood education policy

A lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has called for a second look at the country’s educational policy on early childhood development, that would take the child’s welfare and total quality development into consideration.

Mr. Willie Kojo Semordzi, a lecturer at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education, made the call at the first speech and prize giving day of Obuasi St. Thomas Roman Catholic Junior High School at Obuasi.

He said education had become more challenging and complex as new methods of teaching were evolved each day; but it was essential for the child to get a good education foundation where the hidden ability, skills and talents were unearthed and developed without any impediments.

Speaking on the theme “the key to quality education, the way forward”, Mr. Semordzi expressed regret that the manner children were forced these days to study books and lessons far ahead of their ages and classes were unfortunate.

Mr. Semordzi said, pupils must be helped to develop naturally according to their ages and classes in order to get the best out of them.

Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Municipal Chief Executive, said the participation of parents and teachers in promoting quality education cannot be underestimated and called for co-operation in sustaining the municipality’s achievements in the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

He said, all facets of education, including infrastructural provision, teacher motivation amongst others were working to enhance education delivery in the municipality.

Mr. Ackon, an old student of the school, said he was happy that his alma mater was being managed in a way to promote efficiency and high teaching and learning outcomes, and urged parents to strengthen supervision and monitoring of their children.

The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Johnny Owusu-Boadi, said quality education cannot function to benefit society if it lacked discipline.

He therefore urged the church to play its traditional role of inculcating moral discipline in “our pupils and students, so that they will grow to become responsible adults”.

The headmistress, Mrs. Rita Nsafoah, said irresponsible parenting and lack of places of convenience were some of the challenges facing the school.**