CHILDHOOD education demands a joint effort by all stakeholders in society and there is a need to review attitudes towards early childhood learning.
Speaking at the opening of the Early Childhood Education in Labasa, Save the Children Fiji acting co-ordinator north Mere Krishna said the community should work together to build bridges to give children the freedom to make their choices and explore the world.
"As a society, we cannot afford to postpone investing in children until they become adults, nor can we wait until they reach school age, a time when it may be too late to intervene," Mrs Krishna said. "From pregnancy through early childhood, all of the environment in which children live and learn, and the quality of their relationships with adults and caregivers have a significant impact on their cognitive, emotional and social development," she said.
"Teachers are the main link and delivery medium that effectively ensures that these children's abilities are best developed through early childhood education."
Mrs Krishna said early childhood education was the most important aspect of the child's development, when the child's brain was developing. And in order to have a good future for any community, country and for any nation, she said early childhood education was a must and a priority for every family.