Cambridge International, the world’s largest provider of international education programmes, has launched its first early years education programme in Ghana. The Cambridge Early Years programme is designed to give children aged three to six the best start in life, helping them meet key early milestones and thrive in and out of school.
Cambridge Early Years is based on 12 key principles that underpin the programme, such as the importance of play-based learning, the gradual transition to formal teaching, and the development of socio-emotional skills and healthy physical development. The programme also aligns with the Ghanaian government’s early childhood care and development policy, which provides two years of kindergarten education for children aged four and five.
The programme offers a flexible and holistic curriculum covering ten subject areas: literacy, numeracy, science, arts, and physical education. It also provides extensive teacher support, including training, resources, and assessment tools. Schools can offer the whole programme or individual stages and subjects, depending on their needs and preferences.
Mr Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge, said: “We all know that the early years of a child’s life are crucial to their development. Research shows that the better we support children at this stage, the more positive impact we can have on their future. Our new Cambridge Early Years programme draws on Cambridge’s unrivalled expertise in high-quality education to help schools in Ghana give children as many exciting and stimulating learning experiences as possible – making the most of this key phase of brain development and getting children off to a good start in life.”
Juan Visser, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa for International Education at Cambridge, said: “We know that good early years education can benefit a child’s whole academic career, and so I’m thrilled that we are adding this new stage to the Cambridge Pathway – it’s what schools have been asking for. Our Cambridge Early Years programme combines the best approaches worldwide with extensive teacher support. We want to help schools in Ghana support children’s long-term development and help them to be ready for the world.”
Cambridge Early Years is part of the Cambridge Pathway, a comprehensive and coherent education programme that leads seamlessly from primary to secondary and pre-university years. The programme is offered by over 10,000 schools in 160 countries, including more than 500 schools in Ghana.
The launch of Cambridge Early Years in Ghana comes when the country faces challenges in providing quality and inclusive education for all children, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UNICEF, only 57% of children aged three to four in Ghana have access to early childhood education, and only 23% of children aged five to six are developmentally on track in literacy and numeracy. The pandemic has also disrupted the learning of millions of children, with schools closed for several months and remote learning options limited.
Cambridge International hopes that its new programme will help address some of these challenges and support the recovery and resilience of the education sector in Ghana. The programme aims to equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Cambridge International is inviting interested schools in Ghana to join the Cambridge Early Years programme and benefit from its high-quality curriculum and support. Schools can learn more about the programme and how to apply on the Cambridge International website.
Source: Business Ghana
