Ensuring conditions for universal preschool education

(Baonghean.vn) - After conducting a survey on the implementation of the Project on universalizing preschool education for 5-year-old children, period 2010 - 2015 in some localities in the province, on the afternoon of September 23, the Committee for Culture - Society, Provincial People's Council had a meeting with the Department of Education and Training on this work.

Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Department of Planning and Investment and the Department of Home Affairs.

Overview of the work

Implementing the Project on universalizing preschool education for 5-year-old children, the Party Committees and authorities at all levels in the province have focused on leadership, direction and have many specific, practical solutions suitable to the conditions of each locality. Mobilizing sectors and organizations in the political system to actively participate in many activities to support the cause of education in general and the work of universalizing preschool education for 5-year-old children in particular. Also through the implementation of this project, facilities, learning materials and toys for children have been invested by the State at all levels and integrated with many other resources. The scale of schools and classrooms has been expanded. The whole province has 524 preschools, an increase of 16 schools (6 public schools and 10 private schools); the number of 5-year-old children has increased by 125 classes compared to 2011.

Mr. Luu Duc Thuyen - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training reported on the implementation of the Project on universalizing preschool education for 5-year-old children in the province.

The province has also given priority to supplementing the number of teachers for preschool education, basically meeting the requirements, along with the rate of qualified and above-standard teachers being raised. Thanks to that, the quality of child care and education has been improved. 100% of preschools apply the assessment of children's development according to the development standards for 5-year-old children, while taking care of the quality of meals for children in schools and boarding schools. Up to now, the mobilization rate of children under 3 years old has reached 18.6%; children 3-5 years old is 89%, of which 5-year-old children alone is 99.8%.

Mr. Bui Dinh Long - Director of the Department of Health, Member of the Cultural - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council requested the Department of Education and Training to clarify a number of issues of concern.

Representatives of the Department of Home Affairs clarified a number of issues related to the establishment of preschool teachers in the province.

However, Nghe An has 11 mountainous and highland districts with high poverty rates and difficult travel conditions; 5 coastal districts and towns where life is closely linked to fishing, greatly affecting the awareness of child care and education. There is a shortage of teachers and caregivers in some districts; school and classroom facilities, especially in mountainous and ethnic minority areas, do not ensure teaching and learning conditions, hindering the progress of the project to universalize preschool education for 5-year-old children....

Ms. Le Thi Huong - Head of Preschool Department, Department of Education and Training explained some difficulties in providing supplies and toys to preschools.

Ms. Ton Thi Cam Ha - Deputy Head of the Culture - Society Committee, Provincial People's Council requested the Department of Education and Training to promote its role as the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee for Universal Education to actively advise the province to remove difficulties and shortcomings facing preschool education.

At the meeting, the working delegation of the Culture - Society Committee, the Provincial People's Council acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Education and Training in advising and coordinating the implementation of the Project on universalizing preschool education for 5-year-old children, contributing to the basic completion of the project's objectives. In addition, the delegation also requested the Department to promote its role as the Standing Committee of the Provincial Universalization Steering Committee to continue advising the province on solutions, especially removing difficulties and obstacles in terms of facilities; the ratio of teachers according to the staff to ensure the sustainability of universalization. Strengthen coordination with sectors and members of the Provincial Universalization Steering Committee to mobilize forces to participate in taking care of preschool education. Focus on directing schools to overcome difficulties, improve the quality of care, education and ensure safety for children; increase the rate of mobilizing children to go to school, and firmly universalize 5-year-old children.

Minh Chi