PRE-SCHOOL teachers are told to sharpen their knowledge and skills by enrolling themselves in educational courses.
The advice was given by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who encouraged pre-school teachers to enrol in Early Childhood Education at the Diploma level.
“Teaching young children is certainly a profession that needs serious coaching and preparation.
“Taking up professional courses such as the Diploma in Early Childhood Education will not only help teachers to grow but will also provide them a rewarding career,” he said in his speech at the Persatuan Guru Tadika Pulau Pinang (PGTPP) award ceremony at Gurney Plaza today.
A total of 30 pre-school teachers including members of PGTPP were honoured during the ceremony for successfully graduating with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Chow said that a well-trained childhood educator should be equipped with the knowledge related to children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development.
“Research has shown that our aim to succeed in life is established before we enter primary school.
“The human brain undergoes rapid development at a young age and it is that period when a child builds his or her cognitive skills,” he said.
Apart from that, Chow also highlighted the importance of mastering English.
“We should not ignore the fact that, by mastering English, it enhances all opportunities in life,” he said.
Earlier, PGTPP’s president and Persatuan Guru Tadika Malaysia (PGTM) Sally Ng made a request to allow kindergarten operators to pay conversion fee (conversion from residential to commercial status) by instalments.
Chow said that he would refer thr matter to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Also present were MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng and HELEX chief executive officer, who is also the advisor of PGTM Jeremy Kung.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix and video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radz