Africa-Press – Botswana. Kidz Academy Principal, Mr Raleigh Moyo has called upon early childhood educators to unite.
Speaking at the launch of the Kanye Early Educators Association (KEEA) recently, Mr Moyo said education played a critical role in the formative years of a child’s development, emphasising that these early stages were pivotal in shaping their lives.
“Education during these formative years is not merely a set of strategies but an essential investment in human potential,” Mr Moyo stated.
He stressed the importance of recognising early interventions as a necessity for targeted support, which nurtures cognitive, social, and emotional growth in children from the start.
“To achieve these goals, we must embrace our collective responsibility. The earlier we address developmental challenges in children, the greater their chances of success in later years,” he said.
He said according to American educator, Dr James Heckman, ‘the highest rate of return in early childhood development comes from investing as early as possible in disadvantaged children.’
Mr Moyo said the words of Dr Heckman served as a reminder that equity in education must begin before the traditional school years; that meant providing every child with the tools to flourish.
The University of Botswana’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dr Marea Tsamaase stated that having an association gave the practitioners a resolute voice compared to each coming up with their own agenda. She further said it gave them recognition, because as individuals, there was no platform to take grievances to or be advised from as opposed to when recognised as an association. Moreover, she said the association would help capacitate members where gaps were identified.
One early educator, Ms Bonny Masupane of Gracious House Academy reiterated Dr Tsamaase sentiment of oneness and said, it would help address their challenges as a collective. Ms Masupane said that they had no platform to take their grievances to as individual centres and hoped that KEEA would help them speak with one voice. She urged those who had not yet joined to do so.
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