Early learning pupils graduate

By PETER WARI
THE early childhood centre at Habare village in Tari-Pori, Hela, graduated 28 students last Wednesday during the centre’s seventh graduation ceremony.
The programme, aimed at improving school readiness for children aged four to six years, was co-funded by Oil Search Ltd, the Seventh-day Adventist mission, Buk Bilong Pikinini and the Hela education division.
Headmistress Janet Stanley said for their national examination, 14 students scored full marks while the others also performed well.
She said the programme was helpful and needed to be rolled out in all districts as all students had been taught to read and speak English fluently and were prepared for the transition to elementary school.
Hela education division director Ronny Angu said in terms of human development, the importance of early childhood education could not be overstated as a child’s early years were the foundation for his or her future development.
“It provides a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development,” he said.
Angu said through partnerships with the provincial government, donors and other non-government organisations, things were improving.