The relevance of formative education

The relevance of pre-primary school in formative education is a known fact that, pre-primary or nursery school is designed as a place where kindergarten is trained in education, which remain the bedrock of any society.

The significance of this system of education cannot be under measured, since it is geared towards training and instilling the needed knowledge into young pupils. This system has of course, encouraged these children to cherish education in their lives as future leaders.

It is a fact that, children develop understanding in different ways as they learn best in an environment where they can feel safe and secure.

What is also important to note, is the fact that, this children equally consolidate their learning when they have the time and space to engage in activities that are in-depth as they develop theories through investigation, talk first hand experience and play.

However, it is very necessary to recognize the central importance of relationship as the basis on which all learning take place, whether in the early years setting or in the child’s wider world.

The need for all children to feel included, is of course of paramount importance as it would enable them to participate actively from the earliest years, has an important and positive part to  play in ensuring that children feel safe, are valued and as well have a sense of belonging in their learning at all times.

Indeed, if given good training to this young pupil from the nursery level, it would no doubt inculcate positive virtue in them for self development and actualization. It is true that, the formative years of children have a lot of challenges to both parents at home and of course to the larger society.

It may interest you to know that, children are born with different mental and physical uniqueness that should be appreciated; while some of them are perhaps gifted children with high intelligent quotient, others are slow to learn and should be carefully handled to build confidence in them, as far as learning process is concern among the children.

In fact, what is worthy of note is that, the proprietors of those institutions of learning should ensure that all facilities are adequately put in place to enhance proper formative development of the pupils.

The proprietors of these schools should also ensure that the welfare of the teachers is given the needed priority to make them put in their best for the development of the children in education.

It is never a misplacement of fact that, the staff of those schools are working in partnership with parents in developing children’s learning. This is to add to the fact that the staff of such school also promote this partnership by learning about, valuing and building on children’s learning experience before and during their pre-school years.

In fact, the importance of  pre-school education in our country lies particularly in developing and broadening the range of their knowledge, it is also believed that, when all these steps are taken, the pre-primary school level will  no doubt serve the formative years of the education of our children.

However, parents on their part should as a matter of fact, always strive to see that their children who are in their formative years are carefully always monitored, so as to prevent them from deviants activities, which including, watching of morally corrupt movies.

It is also a fact that, parents can best help to train their children, especially by keeping close watch over them and their activities, and of course encourage them to always read their books during schools and holidays. It is obvious that, when this culture is developed, it would make them to be successful in their chosen careers in future.

In this regard, government’s goal towards giving access to education for total development of the individual child should be maintained, it should not be completely left in the hands of the private sector that can be exploitative sometimes as far as some of their charges are concerned to the parents and guardians.

It was in view of the significant contribution of the private sector in education that, St. Lukes Cathedral Anglican primary School, Jos, recently organized a speech and prize giving day, which brought parents, guardians and pupils together the 27th edition of the epoch making event.

Guest Speaker on the occasion, Rev. Dr. Philip Asura Nggada, who is also a lecturer with the Department of Religions and Philosophy, University of Jos, has called on parents to rise up to their responsibility in giving the needed parental training to their wards, in order to have a better home, church, school and of course the entire society.

Rev. Nggada who presented a paper titled: “Effect of parental negligence on children’s moral attitude in the 21st  century: A Christian perspective”, disclosed that the family is also an institution used by God overtime to convey his blessings and achieve his divine purpose.

He affirmed that it is apparently clear that parents have no excuse when there are found wanting, because these are divine set rules from infancy to teenage, youth, adulthood, which prepares the child to grow in all dimension.

The Guest Speaker said that the spiritual well being of the child is primarily important because it sets the child on a solid foundation. Particularly food, clothing, shelter and good health among others.

Rev. Dr. Nggada alluded that the effects of parental negligence on the children’s moral and attitude are quite devastating, as it is never a welcoming idea, adding to the fact it also destroys the home, school, church, society and even an entire nation.

He challenged parents to always create a close relationship with their children, build confidence in the child, spare not the rod to correct the child, check to know who their child’s peers and monitor their child’s character among others.

“We have examined extensively parental responsibility from the biblical point of view and saw that parents have a huge role to play in training and nurturing their children in order to cultivate biblical moral values”.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Bulus Gambo who is also the News Editor of THE NIGERIA STANDARD, acknowledged the contribution of the missionaries in the education sector at all levels.

Mr. Gambo applauded the staff of the school for the good and wonderful work that they are doing, especially in impacting the needed knowledge to the children, saying that the training of the children should not be left in the hands of the school only, urging parents to also participate in the training of their education while at home.

He called on parents to equally shun gender disparity while investing in the education of their children and also called on both federal and state governments to support the contribution of the missionary schools in the country.

In his remarks, Head teacher of the school, Mr. Oyelana Felix said that the school has also improved numerically and quantitatively, adding that, they have very versed and experience staff that have always undergone training and retraining to keep up with the modern trends in terms of teaching and learning.

Felix congratulated the grandaunts and advised them to be good ambassadors of the school wherever they find themselves, and also appreciated the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for their immense contribution to the development of the school at all times.

PTA chairman of the school, Mr. Andre Bisyit said that the parents have a good working relationship with the management and staff of the school and promised to sustain such tempo, in order to move the school forward.

The occasion featured Plateau dance, Presentations by Primary Three and Four, Igbo dance, Presentations by the Grandaunts, launching of the School magazine and presentation of gifts to the well perform pupils in class and also the over roll performing pupils.