Upgrading education for early childhood

MPs have put forward a plan for the University of Bahrain to launch a kindergarten diploma aimed at lifting standards in early childhood classrooms and creating a clear training route for staff. Five MPs have submitted a proposal calling on the university to introduce a Kindergarten Diploma programme as a qualifying course for national staff working in early childhood.

The course would cover child care, psychology, developmental psychology, activity design and classroom management, along with practical training in approved kindergartens. The motion is signed by Dr Mahdi Al Showaikh, First Deputy Speaker Abdulnabi Salman, Mamdouh Al Saleh, Eman Shuaiter and Hassan Ibrahim.

In the statement of reasons attached to the proposal, main proposer Dr Al Showaikh writes that the programme is intended to improve early education through a specialist course that matches national and international standards. The paper adds that it is also meant to back state plans to develop the education sector, widen options for young people and give training and career paths to women working in kindergartens, as well as those seeking to build their skills. The document states that stronger preparation for staff at this stage is expected to raise the quality of services in early childhood, with a positive effect on children’s cognitive and social development, especially in light of Parliament’s approval of the draft law on private educational institutions.

Performance

According to the explanatory memorandum, once the programme is in place it would help produce qualified national staff with the teaching skills needed to work in kindergartens and raise performance levels in these institutions by ensuring teachers and administrators hold a specialist qualification. It adds that the move is expected to improve the learning setting for children, which in turn would support their attainment and their social and behavioural growth.