Africa-Press – Mauritius. Six videos for the Project- Based Learning of the School Gardening in Pre-Primary schools, were launched, today, in presence of the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, at Paul Octave Wiéhé Auditorium in Réduit.
It is an initiative of the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority (ECCEA) organised in the context of Children’s International Day, observed annually on 20 November. The main aim of the project is to equip pre-school children with the love for gardening and the requisite skills.
In her keynote address, the Vice-Prime Minister stated that it is important to inculcate notions and good practices in children at an early age so as to make them realise on how to enjoy the process and develop skills that will last for a lifetime.
“Children may often not like the way they are learning and are being taught”, she said, adding that teachers have to stimulate the natural curiosity inherent in them.
She pointed out that the project-based learning of school gardening is an opportunity to help children familiarise themselves with their natural environment.
The project, she added, is situated under Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) which is a popular concept integrated in many school curricula to promote a holistic development of the child.
Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun underlined that the STEM education lays the foundation for the development of the 21st century skills and boost the future value of science. According to her, the EECEA should continue to create space for experiments and experiences that sharpen the skills of the children.
The Vice-Prime Minister thanked all the collaborators who have extended their assistance in the realisation of the videos, namely the Mauritius Film Development Corporation (MFDC); Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change; Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute; Mauritius Institute of Education; and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre.
As for her part, the Director of the ECCEA, Mrs Caroline Arekion, indicated that the project targeted around 1 000 pre-school children in 20 public and private pre-primary schools.
The project, she underlined, does not only emphasise on the cognitive aspect but also taps into emotional and physical aspects thus making learning more active, dynamic and more real.
She dwelt on the relevance of extra-curricular activities adding that more such initiatives will be implemented by the ECCEA. Also present, the Director of the MFDC, Mr Sachin Jootun, mentioned that the videos demonstrate the hard work, determination and patience of the pre-school children to do gardening. He lauded the parents for encouraging their children to be in connection with the earth and to learn the art of gardening.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
