Early Childhood Education Month 2014, now being observed in Anguilla, appropriately has as its theme an Investment for Sound Future Development, and both the Ministry and the Department of Education have taken up that challenge with much fervour. The opening ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, was replete with calls towards that end.
Permanent Secretary, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett, in declaring open the month of activities – on behalf of the Minister of Education, the Hon Jerome Roberts – said the main task was to improve on what already exists. “By increasing children’s desire and ability to learn, investment in early childhood education can increase the returns on investment in their later education by making education more effective,” she stated.
Mrs Petty Barrett continued her delivery of the main part of the Minister’s address as follows: “Research has demonstrated that early childhood education programmes can improve performance in primary and secondary school, increase children’s prospects for higher productivity and future income, and reduce the probability that they will become burdens on social service budgets.
“My Ministry, through the Department of Education, will continue to support the work of early childhood centres. As you are already aware, we are on schedule to have the new policy on Early Childhood Development, along with standards for operation, approved later this month. These documents will help to guide the ways in which we support you as well as how we regulate and monitor your operations. However, while the policy and standards will bring about some fundamental changes, you can be assured that we will work collectively with you over time to assist and empower you in meeting the new standards and requirements of operation.”
The feature address was delivered by Mrs Marilyn Hodge, Correctional Services Counsellor at the Department of Probation. She made the point that investing in early education would “generate economic development for communities in the form of jobs, the purchase of goods and services, and a more efficient workforce.” She stressed that children benefitting from early education would need fewer costly special education classes and make them less likely to wind up in court, the Juvenile Centre and in prison – costing taxpayers a fortune.”
Mrs Hodge called on parents to invest in their children “by providing them with a firm, solid, strong spiritual foundation on which they can build their lives.” She urged the Government “to ensure that all childcare centres are not only affordable, but must provide safe and quality childcare as it is essential for parents who work.” She was of the view that “the Government also needs to invest by providing parental education programmes and ensure that parental education is placed on the schools’ curriculum.”
She continued: “Every child has the right to adequate care, learning, development and protection, and a sustainable society is where everyone’s rights are recognised, respected and fulfilled. If we fail to invest early, our children will suffer from a range of problems – they are at higher risk for being abused, becoming teen mothers and fathers, delinquents and misusing alcohol and illegal drugs. They are less likely to be healthy and more likely to be criminals.”
Mrs Hodge summed up her admonitions in this manner: “Government, communities, parents, and the private sector, must share in the responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing of children and families. As it was said, ‘Education is humanity’s best hope and most effective means in the quest to achieve sustainable development.”’
Mrs Susan Smith, Education Officer Primary/Preprimary, assured teachers of the department’s commitment “to raise the standard of early childhood education in Anguilla.” She went on:
“Despite the limited resources, we have an obligation and a responsibility to invest in Anguilla’s young children. We will continue to support the teachers in improving their knowledge and skills, and provide schools with much-needed financial support to assist them in catering for the developmental needs of the children. Additionally, with the completion of the early childhood policy and standards, other mechanisms will be in place to improve the quality of service.
“The Department of Education is cognisant of the vital role preschool teachers play in laying the foundation for children’s development and learning. Therefore, teachers, I wish to place on record our deepest appreciation for your hard work and dedication.”
The Education Officer had a word for parents. “You are your children’s first teachers,” she advised them. “Your duty and responsibility is to provide the right home environment with appropriate experiences to help them grow and learn. The school cannot do it alone. You have to be partners in your children’s learning so I urge you to be supportive of the teachers and the schools.”
Teachers, as well as some parents and children, from throughout the island, attended the opening ceremony at the Teachers’ Resource Centre, filling it to capacity.
