Ministry hosts workshop for early childhood caregivers

More than 120 early childhood caregivers are expected to benefit from a five-day workshop geared at improving their Mathematics techniques.{{more}}

Yesterday, March 5, caregivers from district seven, along with those from Mustique, gathered at the Ministry of Education’s curriculum unit in Kingstown, for the event organized by the Ministry of Education and sponsored by United Kingdom based publishers Pearson Education.

The workshop, which is being facilitated by Education Officer in Mathematics Shirley Lewis, continues today with districts 1 – 4 in New Grounds; on Wednesday, March 7, caregivers from districts five and six return to Kingstown for training; then, next Tuesday, March 13, it will be the turn of leeward districts 8 -10, with the Grenadines district holding their session on March 15.

Senior Education Officer for Early Childhood Education Gweneth Cambridge, at yesterday’s brief opening ceremony, reminded participants that they play a pivotal role in the lives of the students and urged them to pay more attention to information on numeracy, as they do on literacy.

“You are really the foundation. You are helping in the transition from early childhood education to formal education…. So, if the numeracy skills are taught correctly, then our children wouldn’t have problems and there wouldn’t be gaps in their knowledge,” she pointed out.

Pearson local representative Byron Wilson said that the company, which publishes school text books and other educational products, was happy to be a part of the seminar.

He also showcased an educational kit produced by Pearson, which he said could assist in the numerical education of the children.

‘We are very happy to contribute to education in St Vincent and the Grenadines…. We have been focusing heavily on early childhood… and hope that you take back new strategies and methods for educating the children in your care.”(JJ)