Parents encouraged to embrace early childhood education

By Lawrence Okwakol

Pallisa; Parents in Pallisa district and Eastern region have been challenged to embrace early childhood education as it is the foundation of the main domains that propel life. 

The disclosure was made by Dr. Deborah Rebecca Kyazze Magere, the early childhood education manager and specialist in national curriculum development Centre. She was the chief guest during the children concert organized by Personal Development Initiative Africa (PDIA) non-profit-making organization which established 22 learning centre in Agule county in Pallisa district.

Kyazze said majority of parents in rural areas ignore nursery education, calling it waste of time and money  while a  few who go for it leave children’s  school concerns open days for women.

“Am surprised men in Agule are unique they came with their wives and this gives a child complete family love. In most families, fathers are feared by children which needs to be addressed by men having ample time with their families.”

On major childhood growth  domains, Simon Peter Tukei, the commissioner in charge text books distribution in the ministry of education and sports said all the three domains which include cognitive development, effective and psychomotor benefit learners,  making them easily face real-world situations that can take them into the career they choose.

Tukei said a student who excels in the psychomotor domain may perform well as an architect or surgeon and the domains often overlap, sharing factors that students may find helpful.

John Opedun, the Pallisa district inspector of schools said the district is struggling with poor performance because parents who are to contribute 70% of provisions of basic needs such as meals and scholastic materials do not play their roles.

Agnes Lukendo, the senior education officer revealed that  most government aided primary school have done annual general meetings but no single song or play was performed before parents and that she was surprised to see brilliant infants in Agule acting. 

Okia, the proprietor of Development Initiative Africa (PDIA) said started the project following the effects of COVID-19 by establishing learning centres which now help 10,000 children in the 22 centres and employing 1500 as teachers, daycare mothers, cooks, askaris and bodas in Jinja and Pallisa.

Okia said with time her organization will open more centre to help the vulnerable communities.

Stephen Opela, the inspector of schools who has been monitoring the PDIA activities in Agule county said the ECD schools are doing better on co- curricular because they are exposed.

“I have officiated number of annual general meetings but no government aided primary school has ever paraded pupils to sing or perform before their parents and I have directed all head teachers to ensure learner’s talents are exposed,” Opela said.