A Child care expert, Mrs Caroline Popoola, on Monday, called on government, educators and stakeholders to make early childhood education a global priority.

Popoola, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Global, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She said giving adequate priority to early childhood education would assist in building a solid foundation for a child’s education.

According to her, every child deserves access to quality early education, urging stakeholders to make positive impacts and change the narrative.

“It is important for stakeholders to collaborate in prioritising early childhood education, especially in a society where childcare practitioners don’t have enough backing.

“According to UNICEF, quality pre-primary education is the foundation of a child’s journey.

“We should be hungry to do better and make positive impacts. We should be ready to change the narrative and make the world a better place for the children,” she said.

Popoola said early childhood education was no longer confined to just a domestic concern, as it had emerged as a global priority in recent years.

She said experts had agreed that investment in early childhood education was absolutely crucial for the future of the children and the development of the society as a whole.

“This type of education should be made top priority by governments, policymakers and educational institutions worldwide.

“The intellectual and emotional development of young children should be the focus of conversations on a global scale.

“As a result, it is critical to ensure that children have all necessary forms of support to make them become valuable contributors to their communities.

“Early childhood education is a main component of many successful educational systems around the world, and research has proven its significance in shaping a child’s cognitive and social abilities,” she said.

The child care expert further stated that providing children with the right educational tools, support and care could lead to better academic performance in future.

She said early education had the potential to produce lifelong learners who were more capable of adapting to changing environments, socialising with others and engaging in critical thinking.

“Early childhood education has the potential to reduce poverty, unemployment rates and social tensions.

“This is why all countries must place higher value on early childhood education. Every child deserves a strong and positive start in life and early education is the key to realising this.

“Early childhood education as a global priority is necessary for bridging gaps in education, reducing economic inequality, breaking down social barriers and promoting overall global prosperity.

“A strong focus on early education will allow children to thrive and grow into successful and engaged members of their communities,” she said.

According to Popoola, investing in early childhood education is no longer an option but a necessity, to create a better future for the children and the world.