WITH the recent move by the Ministry of Education to change its policy regarding the age of enrolment into nursery schools, parents have been expressing appreciation that their children can begin school earlier.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand recently announced at a press conference that children who would have celebrated their birthday by June 30th and would be three years, three months at the end of September of the same year the parent wishes to send their children to school, would be welcomed to register.
This move, the Education Minister said will not only ease the burden on parents and remove the disadvantages to those children who were born after March 31st, but will be more in keeping with international standards.
According to the International Standard Classification of Education, Pre-Primary or Nursery Education is classified as the initial stage of organised instruction, is intended to be school or centre-based, and is designed for children at least three years old.
The aim of nursery education is to promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; teach basic skills, and instilL the desire to learn.
Children access these areas through a well-developed nursery programme that use structured imaginative play, planned and delivered by qualified teachers.
“The Ministry of Education is aware of the impact nursery education can have on the future of children and has committed itself to ensuring that our children have the best possible nursery education. Research has shown that those children who have had a good nursery education, go on to generally higher grades, greater literacy; are unlikely to commit crime and are less likely to fall victim to teen pregnancy and other negative and socially inhibiting behaviours. Simply put, nursery education has been shown to give children the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the ministry is currently putting systems in place to ensure that schools are well equipped with all the necessary tools, space, and teachers to meet the September 2014 start date for the enrollment of children three years, three months old.
The Guyana Chronicle caught up with a few Guyanese citizens who shared their perspective on this change of the age requirement for entry into nursery schools, and below are excerpts of their comments.

DEVON ROBERTS
“I am in full agreement with this new plan. My issue is the implementation time frame is too long since my daughter will not be able to attend school until next year given the current format; she turned 3 on May 2nd. The late start for pupils may have diverse effects on a child’s schooling days and may seem unfair for them to be home for an extra year just because of the D.O.B. (date of birth). Good move by the Honourable Minister but in this case I would prefer the system be put in place this coming school year.”

MARCIA ROHOMAN
“I think children these days are very smart…you don’t have to wait until they are 3 and or over to start school. My son will be “school ready” until September but I really want him to start school. So yes, I think at least kids should be able to start school by 3.

NICOLA CHEONG
“I agree with the ministry for starting younger. I could never understand why children should wait an additional year to start nursery. It is definitely a brilliant move that will impact society for the best. It will be less financial strain on parents who usually have to pay day care expenses. An earlier start means children will develop faster which will have a positive impact on Guyana.  Kids will also finish high school earlier. I think an additional year should be added to high school. Children are a lot smarter now that they were 10 yrs ago.”

JAI RAAJ NARAYAN
“I think it’s a great idea. Kids these days are growing up faster than we think; my daughter will be one year on 19th of June and she already saying dada, mama, baba, thanks, and the shortened form of her mother’s name. Whenever the phone rings, she puts her hands to her ears. So, I think it will be great if a child can start earlier.”

AUDREY CRAWFORD
“The only disadvantage that I can see is if the children will be ready at that age to cope with nursery school because some children develop late while some develop earlier, so if children aren’t ready they will be placed at a disadvantage. Besides that, I think as long as the teachers are working with the children there shouldn’t be any other problem.”

KEITH HUTCHINS
“Yes I think that the earlier a child can enter the nursery school it would be better for that child. I wish I had one now to send to nursery school.”

MARK PLANT
“I think it’s good that a child will be able to enter nursery school at an earlier age because if the child can finish that school at an earlier age it would be better for them.”