Mrs Vida Barbara Ntow, a retired Director for Early Childhood Education at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters, Mrs Vida Barbara Ntow, has called on stakeholders in education to champion the cause of quality early childhood education, one that is grounded in love, guided by purpose, and supported by community and policy.
According to Mrs Ntow, every child deserves the chance to thrive and to rise strong in education.
Mrs Vida Barbara Ntow, made the above statement when she addressed stakeholders and parents as the guest speaker during Ceardlann Academy first graduation ceremony held in Koforidua of the Eastern Region.
Early childhood education is often misunderstood as a simple stage of playful innocence. But in reality, it is a critical period of brain development, emotional growth, and social learning. Research tells us that between birth and age five, a child’s brain forms over one million neural connections every single second. That’s not just science, it is a loud reminder that the early years are a window of opportunity that one cannot afford to miss.
Mrs Ntow explained that, just as every part of the human body must work together for it to function well, so must every stakeholder in a child’s education adding that parents, teachers, caregivers, and community members all have a vital role to play.
She said that providing for a child’s basic needs is essential, as their involvement in their learning journey beyond the school gates is equally important.
For her, learning does not end in the classroom but rather it continues at home, in conversations, bedtime stories, and the patient answering of endless “whys.”
Mrs Ntow added that they recognize and deeply appreciate the partnership parents have forged with facilitators of the school.
She commended the teachers for their guidance, comfort, encouragement, and belief even when things seemed uncertain.
She averred that parents and the school have built a foundation rooted in love, laughter, patience, teamwork, and consistency.
Taking her turn, the proprietress of Ceardlann Academy, Madam Joyce Serwaa Nyarko encouraged the learners that, as they move forward, they should remember that learning is a lifelong adventure.
Madam Nyarko, urged the learners to stay curious, keep exploring and never stop discovering.
She told the learners that the world needs their creativity, enthusiasm and kindness.
” Go out there and make a difference. Believe in yourself, take risks, and know that you are capable of achieving great things, ” she added.
The proprietress of the school, Madam Nyarko, commended the teachers for their dedication and tireless efforts in nurturing and guiding the learners.
In addition, she praised the parents for their unwavering support and partnership in their child’s education.
The Special Guest of Honour, Ms Safuratu Seidu, who was the Ghana Teacher Prize Awardee 2024, commended the parents for their dedication and invaluable support for the great foundation they have laid for the children.
By Samuel Kwesi Appah-Peniel, Koforidua-E/R
