Experts: Ineffective Govt Regulation, Inexperienced Staff, Hindering Early Childcare Development

Oluchi Chibuzor

Experts have highlighted ineffective government regulation and inexperienced staff, amongst others as factors hindering the development of the early childcare sector in Nigeria.

Equally, they stressed that since it was during the formative years that children build the foundation for their lifelong learning, the country must come up with policies to better protect them.

Speaking at the second edition of the Early Years Childcare Conference in Lagos, recently, the CEO, Alpha Global and Alpha Childcare Limited,  Caroline Popoola, said with the pace of development the country needs a clear policy that emphatically recognises the rights of early age groups.
The theme of the event was. ‘Redefining early childhood education of the 21st century child.’

Popoola, noted that the conference serves as a platform to explore innovative approaches, exchange best practices, and redefine the standards for nurturing and educating our youngest leaders of tomorrow.

She explained that the goal for the event was to inspire and empower stakeholders to embrace new methodologies, leverage cutting-edge technologies and foster a holistic approach to early childhood education.

“We all know that the early child stage is the most formative life. So it’s so important that it hurts my spirit to even know that a country like Nigeria or even Africa as a whole that we do not have a governing body or a commission that is actually in charge of those age groups.

“For me is it important for the government to recognise and start to listen to experts, practitioners. Today, we have over 800 early childcare educators.  So why not improve this neglected sector? “In the United Kingdom it is not done because they are the vulnerable age group; they cannot speak, reason or do anything for themselves and you then decide you want to ignore this age group in the country.”

Commenting on what the incoming Minister of Education should do when appointed, she stressed that occupant of that position must strategically listen to experts in the industry.

According to her, “I think the first thing is to start listening to experts and practitioners in the space because the country already has people that are so knowledgeable regarding this age group.

“They would tell you because they know what needs to be done and we should also learn from other countries that have done it well and adopt what they are doing to catch our children at an early age.

“The government must increase their funding for this age group education. We must have policies in place that would really protect these kids and protect the teachers.”