Fun learning, starting from kindergarten, is a must to make children want to go to school every day.
Children at this tender age dread waking up early in the morning, what more for kindergarten.
But if kindergartens are a place where fun aplenty awaits, then these tiny tots will be most happy to go there.
It is important that only kindergarten teachers who have the passion and commitment to educate the little ones are employed. We do not want those who are in the profession just to bide their time.
These educators must show absolute patience, love and affection when dealing with children as they come from different backgrounds and environments, and need to be dealt with accordingly.
When children have the care and attention of their teachers, they will always look forward to attending classes.
It should be the same as they enter primary school.
Children should not be going to school lugging heavy bags, and returning home only to rush for tuition classes at this young age.
Sooner or later, they will dread going to school. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
The emphasis should be on fun-loving so that they are always eagerly looking forward to being in school. The interest to study should be slowly nurtured.
Too much emphasis on syllabus-oriented coverage will only douse a student’s interest from a young age.
District education offices and state education departments too shouldn’t overemphasise statistics, targets and results.
Many things are only achievable on paper and not practically possible. That is the reality the powers that be must accept.
The Education Ministry should not put too much stress on teachers, who are in the front line implementing teaching and learning policies.
It is only then can teachers go about educating their chargers in a warmer, more caring environment. A more humane approach must prevail for the good of all.
Teachers should not be overburdened with excessive paperwork and bulging classes if we do not want them to lose their passion to educate our children.
THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM
Klang