Early childhood education is the form of learning offered to children who are not ripe for primary education. This type of education offers a range of play like activities that prepare children of the age of three for their education in primary schools.
It is however worrisome that despite the potentials and the advantages the learning pattern gives, statistics by the United Nations Children’s Education Fund UNICEF indicates that 65 percent of Children between 0 to 5 years do not attend Early childhood education in Nigeria.
The 2018 National Personnel Audit by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC further states that over 7 million learners are in the nations early childhood education system.
The figure notwithstanding represents a far cry of millions of children not involved in this type of education in the country.
It is also important to note that teaching and early childhood education in Nigeria to children provides a strong footing for their development as it helps to build their cognitive physical societal and emotional proficiency to prepare them for life challenges.
Considering the laudable benefits of the education form, it is expected that policy makers key into it. A recent visit by selected journalists to Shagari Local Government Council in Sokoto State indicates hope and acceptability by both the state and parents for the play based type of learning.
At the Magaji Abdullahi ECCDE centre Shagari Sokoto State children were seen using play methods to learn.
Head Mistress, Hajia Lulu Bala Shagari, commended the initiative saying it has helped to increase the school population. For other teachers, the pupils are taught how to make toys and other play materials at close monitoring.
Mohammed Isah is a parent whose daughter Aisha Isah is in the play class. The parent who was seen bringing the daughter to school said a lot has changed since the introduction of the play class.
This laudable feat may have informed the decision by the Sokoto State Government to embark on aggressive awareness campaign to establish more ECCD centres across the state.
While it is acknowledged that the programme has recorded tremendous gains, there is still the challenge of qualified teachers.
There is also need for the Government to show more commitment to the programme especially in funds allocation as well as ensure better supervision.
