Gazi Md. Abdur Rashid :
Education policy in 2010 has described pre-primary education as; before starting formal education it would create an environment conducive to the development of universal human attitude such as infinite curiosity, joyous and endless enthusiasm, and it would help to take the necessary mental and physical preparation.
In accordance with the policy of education, pre-primary education has been initially introduced for children aged up to 5 years as an interest in child education and preparatory education. Pre-primary education creates a strong foundation for 5-6 years old children’s physical, mental, intellectual, linguistic and social development. This foundation plays an important role in preparing children for elementary education. Pre-primary education in a child’s life serves as a bridge between family-based informal education and school-based formal education.
The goal of pre-primary education is to create the foundation of life learning through the help of physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, intellectual and linguistic and overall development according to the age and capability of the children education (5+ years) in a pleasant and child-friendly environment and To make their happy and spontaneous debut in the field of primary education.
The purpose of pre-primary education is to create opportunities for the active participation of children through various sports and work in a colorful and child-friendly environment, creating positive attitude towards learning, helping to develop mental attachment, social and natural environment, to support the development of ethical values and social norms, supporting the development of the child’s mentality and skills, helping the health consciousness and security, helping to develop the language and communication skills of the child, to help in early mathematical concepts – to create qualify for logical thinking, and to monitor the routine events of the environment, helping to understand relationship, the spontaneous imagination of the child`s creativity and the innovation Supporting the development of mental attitude, encourage child’s self-confidence and self-esteem and motivate oneself to do their own work. To understand the emotion and to help in its proper manifestation, encourage the children to question and encourage them to express their views;
There are some importances for introducing pre-primary education such as – preparing time for primary education: Pre-primary education is the primary way of preparing for primary education. At present, it is unquestionably proved that those who have been in pre-primary school compared to those who did not attend pre-primary school, they did better in primary school. Pre-primary education plays a very important role in preparing child-based lessons as well as preparing children for school, makes a bridge between school teachers and classmates, removing frightened to school and practicing school-centric rules and regulations.
The foundation of education of the child’s life is made: Pre-primary education works to build a foundation for the child’s education and is a significant time for the development of the child`s brain, which helps in the foundation of early education of the child.
Family and school bridges: Pre-primary education creates a bridge between the school and the family as well as preparing for the school. One study found that pre-primary education is not only prepared for the school (Ready for School) it also helps in achieving the success of elementary school lessons (Successful Transition). The role of pre-primary education is to make the child well-groomed from family to pre-primary school, pre-primary school to formal school.
The rules of formal education: Pre-primary education plays an important role in creating a positive attitude towards school and adopting to education. According to the educationists, the pre-primary education experience enhances the children as inactive to active students. Pre-primary education is provided with the help of Various types of fun works, rhyme, song, story, play, acting and with toys, because school is a delightful place for the child.
Formation of child behaviour: Pre-primary education plays a significant role in forming good behavior for the child. Studies have shown that the child’s behaviour and habits in the early age have an impact on the behaviour of the child’s later life. Studies conducted on pre-primary school children have shown that children who have been in pre-primary school have more intellectual skills, school preparation and social skills than those who did not have pre-primary school.
Long-term education life: Pre-primary education plays a role in preventing school drop-outs, regular attendance in school and ending teaching cycle at the right time. It has been found in the study that the children who successfully completed pre-primary education in their primary schools lack failure, repetition, absence and drop in rates. This education increases the chances of survival till the end of school.
Subject wise education rate increase: Pre-primary education plays an important role based on lifelong education; especially pre-primary education in the child’s life till the fifth grade has a positive effect. It has been found in the study that the children who were in pre-primary school have done better results in first-class, second and third class subjects (such as language education, math, problem solving, community and other subject-related education).
‘Shikkhok Shohayika’ has been prepared for teachers and ‘Amar boi’ for pre-primary students by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board. Besides, vowels and consonants charts, flipcharts, flashcards, story books, learn to write; play games and other materials have been provided.
Daily rallies, exercises, creative works (rhyme, lyrics, dance, stories, arts and acting), language work, math work, play (like game and guidance), other work (environment science, health safety) Etc. are playing a very important role in the growth and development of pre-primary students. Creative works are able to give a lot of pleasure as well as increase the creativity of children in soft-minded areas.
Exercises and sports are also being done to overcome the acne of the classroom, as well as to create a significant role in the formation of good health of the students. Many teachers presented fun and rhymes with funny activities to the students. Many smart teachers have collected the rhymes and songs scheduled from YouTube in various ways, and are teaching through laptops and multimedia.
The main responsibility of a teacher is to manage and develop a child-friendly environment in the classroom and properly manage the teaching-learning process. Pre-primary teacher should be like a friend. She/he will be mixed with a child in such a way so that the child can rely on her/him with absolute trust.
(Gazi Md. Abdur Rashid, Research Officer, District Education Office, Secondary and Higher Education, Munshiganj)
