Anguillian Methodist Minister, Rev. Erica Carty, whose parents reside in Sandy Ground, has offered what may be considered a type of blueprint for early childhood education in Anguilla.
The former pre-school teacher was the feature speaker at the opening ceremony for Early Childhood Month on March 1 at the Teachers’ Resource Centre. She made the point that high quality education during their critical years should be implemented into the lives of children. This, she said, would assist them, their families and the community to build sound, academic individuals for the island’s future.
Using the benefits of her ministerial oratory in the pulpit, Rev. Carty continued: “Furthermore, high quality early childhood education helps children and families to build critical skills and social habits. All of these contribute to healthy lifestyles which, in turn, contribute to improved academics, social development, physical health and achievement, full potentialand possibilities.
“It is therefore absolutely necessary for everyone – parents, governments, education departments and social and business services –to invest in our children’s early childhood development. The benefits of a high quality childhood education investment are as follows: increases high school graduation rates and college enrolment; improves standardised scores; leads to greater employment, higher wages; reduces the number of children in remedial special education and social services programmes; and reduces delinquency and crime.
“On the other hand, ‘at risk’ children, who do not receive high quality early childhood education, are likely to experience the following: 25% are more likely to drop out of school; 40% more likely to become a teen parent; 50% more likely to be placed in a special education programme; 60% more likely to never attend college; and 70% more likely to be arrested for criminal activities.
“It is thus imperative that everyone is involved in this critical stage of a child’s development. Similarly, teachers must seek new, refreshing and creative ways in developing, and implementing, programmes targeted towards these early and exciting years in a child’s educational, social, spiritual and physical development.
“The programmes must be effective and efficient in meeting each child’s individual needs. No child must be neglected. If this task is successfully achieved, and implemented, there is no reason why our schools would not produce competent individuals for a competitive global market, society and the world at large.”
