Esenam Kavi De Souza, Country Director of Children Believe, a non-profit organization dedicated to child development, has called for increased investment in early childhood education to ensure children are enrolled in school at the appropriate age.
According to her, achieving the right-age enrollment requires the construction of adequate infrastructure, improved access to early childhood education, and the availability of qualified teachers to support effective teaching and learning.
In Ghana, the official school enrollment age is set at four years, with children expected to begin at Kindergarten (KG1) and progress to primary school by age six.
Speaking at the commissioning of an Early Childhood Learning Centre at Asunia in the Kassena Nankana West District, Ms. Kavi De Souza emphasized that enrolling children too early puts pressure on already limited facilities, while late enrollment can hinder successful completion of schooling.
Her outfit Children Believe, funded the construction of an Early Childhood Learning Centre at Chiana-Asunia through its partner organization, Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA).
She further encouraged parents to enroll their children at the right age to support their retention and progression in school. “Education as we all know is the key to breaking the circle of poverty and we are committed to building the right foundation for children and that it is why we at Children Believe and our partner, PARDA continue to invest in Early Childhood Education. It is also important that we enroll children at the right age. Children are expected to be in KG1 by age 4 so that by age 6, the child is ready for primary education.”
Ms. Kavi De Souza also urged the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly to prioritize the provision of furniture to accommodate learners, especially in anticipation of increased enrollment.
“I want to believe that this facility will not only encourage parents to bring their children but it will also encourage the teachers. I will like to urge the assembly to consider providing furniture for the school as the number increases to the point that others are sitting on the floor.”
