Early Childhood Education is a vital field in education that requires collaboration from all partners in the field to successfully implement.
Kindergarten 1 (for children aged 4) and Kindergarten 2 (for children aged 5) make up the new Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector.
The ECE is scheduled to start in 2025 when new schools register.
The foundation of the ECE curriculum is centred on GOD and the Bible, with emphasis on phonics and attaining key learning areas through established routines, play-based learning, and assessments.
In addition, the Ministry for Education will acquire new teachers who fulfill qualification requirements in the new sector.
The delivery of early childhood education programs in the provinces and districts is still in its infancy, but it is gradually gaining traction with the help of development partners, according to the present Senior Education Officers Conference taking place in Vanimo, West Sepik.
A National ECE Taskforce has been formed recently and will work with provincial steering committees to give guidance and advice on its implementation progress.
The Department of Education is appreciative of its partners such as Partnerships for Education (PIE), Save the Children and NGOs that are already implementing ECE in the provinces.
In a very supportive call and in his opening remarks at the Vanimo conference, the Minister for Education, Lucas Dekena MP, called for Early Childhood Education to be given priority and be implemented starting in 2025.