Islamabad:The government intends to start a two-year specialized training for Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers so that the students can get better learning environment from the initial stages.

According to the new education policy, the training will be made necessary requirement for dealing with young children.

This training will be on the basis of ECE revised National Curriculum. While the curriculum and support material for ECE will take account of the cultural diversity of particular areas. The quality of ECE will be improved on a concept of holistic development of the child that provides a stimulating, interactive environment, including play, rather than a focus on regimes that require rote learning and rigid achievement standards, the policy stated.

ECE age group will be recognized as comprising 3 to 5 years.

The state will provide at least one-year pre-primary education and ensure universal access to ECE within the next ten years. Provision of ECE will be attached to primary schools, which will be provided with additional budget, teachers and assistants for this purpose. ECE has not been formally recognized by the public sector in the country in the past.

The traditional `katchi’ class in some public sector schools has predominantly remained a familiarisation stage towards formal schooling for un-admitted, young students. A limited part of the Grade I National Curriculum is taught to this group. Against this background, for the first time in the country’s history, ECE was included as a component in the Education Sector Reforms programme and funding was provided to the provincial and district governments. ECE was also included in the National Plan of Action of Education For All (EFA).

The education policy widely reflects commitment to the Dakar Framework of Action, the first goal of which is to expand and improve comprehensive ECE for all children, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

“Early childhood education is the most important segment in the educational career of a student on the basis of which his or her personality nourishes. It is heartening that special focus is laid on early childhood education especially in the education policy,” said a lecturer of a local college while talking to APP.

The guideline and education at primary stage determine the future of a child and this initiative will help instil the ability of constructive thinking, discouraging the traditional way of rote learning, she said. Although progress has been achieved over the last few years, but further action is required in three areas of wider participation, better quality, and improved governance to improve provision of early childhood education across the country. THE NEWS