Importance of Early Childhood Education

May 16th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Early childhood generally encompasses the first eight years in the life of an individual. The education given during these years of a child’s life plays a very important role and helps in proper development of children. Early childhood education can be fundamentally termed as “Learning through play”. Recent research have shown that early eight years in any children life are crucial time because during this phase their brain develops and much of its ‘wiring’ is laid down. The education experiences and relationships a child has along with nutrition can actually affect child mental growth enormously. While good early childhood education helps the brain to develop in healthy ways, improper education or study without play on other hand may affect brain development in different manner. So the experiences and the learning of a child in early years can support them in their entire life.

Recent studies of early childhood education have even shown some remarkable success. It resulting effects on child motivation and learning power last for a long time. Today where education has become very important role to play in a society, it is not right to postpone investing in children education until they become adults, nor wait till they reach school age. In fact early childhood is a vital phase of life in terms of a child’s intellectual, emotional and social development. Besides this, the most important point to know is that the growth of mental abilities is at an astounding rate and high proportion of learning takes place during this period. » Read more: Importance of Early Childhood Education

Education, South Africa, And the Millennium Development Goals

May 13th, 2011 by admin No comments »

In its most recent issue, Time magazine reported that 4 million child deaths would be prevented around the world by boosting mothers’ education. This news is hardly surprising. Start an internet search with “effects of education on” and Google finishes your sentence with any number of social ills: crime, poverty, the economy, health, income. Nevertheless, Time’s statistic is timely.

The Millennium Development Goals

Last week, 140 heads of state and government gathered at the United Nations in New York to review the Millennium Development Goals. It has been ten years since world leaders adopted the MDGs to eradicate poverty and “ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all the world’s people.” With only five years to go before the 2015 deadline for achieving the MDGs is reached, it is more critical than ever that donor countries reaffirm their commitment to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

With measurable, time-bound targets for each, the eight Millennium Development Goals are as follows:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2. Achieve universal primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Reduce child mortality

5. Improve maternal health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop a global partnership for development

Universal Primary Education: MDG Number 2

The Millennium Development Goal that is closest to the hearts of those involved with the Khanyisela Scholarship Program is Number 2: achieving universal primary education. In fact, it is this goal that can catalyze all other goals, as education alone increases income levels, empowers women, and improves access to health care. » Read more: Education, South Africa, And the Millennium Development Goals