As schools across the country gear up for the second term re-opening next week, government has introduced tough new standards aimed at transforming the quality of early childhood education.
A key highlight among the new measures is the regulation of school hours for nursery pupils.
Government has directed that all pre-primary schools must operate from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This move comes in response to growing concerns from parents and health experts about the early waking hours imposed on young children.
Reports indicate that some pupils are woken up as early as 4:00 a.m. to prepare for school an unhealthy routine that doctors warn negatively impacts their physical and mental well-being.
In addition to the adjustment in school hours, the Government has also significantly reduced the teacher-to-learner ratio in nursery schools.
Under the new guidelines, each teacher will now be responsible for a maximum of 25 learners, down from the previous ratio of 1:40.
This change is aimed at improving the quality of care and education for young learners by ensuring more individual attention and better classroom management.
Under the revised guidelines, each pre-primary teacher will now handle a maximum of 25 pupils down from the current standard of 40.
This shift is expected to improve individual attention and learning outcomes in the critical early years of education.
Education officials say the move is part of a broader effort to raise standards in the foundational stages of learning and ensure that children receive quality care and education from the start.
In addition to the new teacher-learner ratio, the standards also touch on infrastructure, safety, and hygiene in nursery schools, though full details are expected to be rolled out in a circular to school administrators before reopening day.
School owners and administrators have been advised to adjust staffing levels and classroom setups accordingly, as compliance will be strictly monitored.
The move has drawn praise from education experts and parents who say that a lower ratio will allow teachers to better monitor, nurture, and support each child’s development.
However, some private school operators have expressed concern about the cost implications of hiring more teachers to meet the new standards, especially in low-income communities.
