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PRE-SCHOOL
EDUCATION Schools are grappling with the problem of pupils who are over-prepared, under-prepared or wrongly-prepared for Primary 1. |
| A lot of pre-school centres
emphasise academic learning. Some of them even base their curriculum at least partially on
the Primary 1 curriculum. They tend to emphasise reading, writing and
mathematics. Teachers had told the Education Ministry that pupils were entering Primary 1 with very different levels of preparedness. Some pupils did not know their ABCs and were not ready for formal schooling. Some parents think that primary schools expect pupils to be able to read and write from day 1. They regard pre-school education as being more important than primary education. Should pre-schoolers be given worksheets in class, bring back homework and sit for examinations and tests, because parents want to ensure their children will secure places in top schools? Will this not create an upward spiral of expectation between parents and teachers at Primary 1? Will the children concerned not 'lose' their childhood? Is there a correlation between pre-school education and success in formal schooling and in life? Should the government take over entirely as the provider of pre-school education? No amount of resources can ensure that every child starts school on an equal footing. It depends on other factors such as the child's abilities and home environment. In the absence of conclusive evidence on the long-term effects of pre-school education, it is best left to the private sector. The government can then standardise the pre-school curriculum and not allow it to be decided by pre-school operators. The government should review the way licenses are given to kindergarten and child-care centre operators to wipe out sole profit-making motives. The government should also review the primary school syllabus so that there would not be a chasm in the transition from pre-school to primary school. Parents should sit back and rethink the objectives of pre-school education. What is more important than teaching the kindergarten child to read, write or do arithmetic? Is it not important that the child become a wholesome individual? Should you not prepare your child morally, learning what is right to do and what is not? Should your child not learn to take turns, share and relate to peers and others? |