The Educational Process

Pre-Primary Education | Primary Education | Secondary Education

Pre-primary education

Pre-school education (kindergarten) is provided by several government agencies and statutory bodies, private bodies, and voluntary organizations. Generally, kindergartens charge fees.

Kindergartens caters to children aged 4-6. Pre-school education is provided by government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of National Unity as well as the private sector. The Education Act (1996) has included pre-school education as part of the national school system. All kindergartens have to follow curriculum guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education.

The pre-school programme is based on a curriculum which is appropriate for 4-6-year-olds and compatible with their development, interests and unique needs. The curriculum is dynamic, child-centered and responsive to the diversity of populations that are represented in each classroom. Basically, the principles of the pre-school curriculum are: (a) the understanding of children’s characteristics (they are active, curious and they need love, attention and security); (b) the aim is to expose children to a rich and stimulating environment; and (c) the programme provides a variety of support materials, such as concrete, printed, multi-sensory, interactive and user-friendly materials.

The general objectives of pre-school education are to enable the children to:

• develop love for their country;
• be well mannered and practice moral values;
• master basic communication skills;
• respect the national language;
• master the basics of the English language;
• appreciate physical activities as a basis for good health;
• develop physically and practice good health and safety measures;
• develop critical thinking skills through enquiry and the use of all the senses.
  

The above-stated objectives are materialized through respective learning areas. They are:

• Language and communication;
• Cognitive development;
• Socio-emotional development;
• Spiritual and moral development;
• Physical development;
• Aesthetic and creative development.

The recommended amount of instructional time is three and a half hours per day, five days a week. The suggested timetable is as follows:

• Class activities - ninety minutes (inside and outside classroom);
• Group activities - sixty minutes;
• Free activities - thirty minutes; and
• Break/snacks/rest - thirty minutes.

Evaluation of children performance is part of the pre-school programme. It is informal and permanent. Evaluation is carried out through various means which include observation, children’s work projects and folio. Individual’s progress and development is kept in the pupil’s personal record.

The preschool enrolment rate improved from 22.8% in 1990 to 52.7% in 2000. The increased participation of the private sector and government agencies in the provision of preschool education availed more and better quality facilities.