Early childhood learning begins at home – Speaker

It was a bitter-sweet moment with tears shed as parents and guardians watched their children receive their certificates during the Lil Champs Preschool and Day Care Centre graduation at the FNU Hall in Namaka, Nadi this afternoon.

While emotions ran high, the hall was also filled with laughter and excitement as the 72 pre-schoolers who graduated, entertained the crowd with dance items that kept the attendees on their feet.

Chief Guest and Speaker of the Fijian Parliament Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni, while delivering her keynote address, thanked the teachers and parents for nurturing the pre-schoolers well.

Hon.Dr Luveni said early childhood learning was a crucial stage which should begin from home.

“I must congratulate all the pre-schoolers graduating today. This is a milestone achievement for all of you and I wish you well in your future studies,” Hon. Dr Luveni said.

“Also, a big congratulations to the teachers and parents for taking the extra initiative to contribute in the development of these children.”

At the graduation, some parents and guardians also received certificates for their tremendous contributions to the centre.

Meanwhile, Hon. Dr Luveni also launched the Lil Champs on Wheels programme- an initiative aimed at educating the under-privileged children.

Centre Director Shabreen Khondoker said this was a new programme they had just established this year, at the same time, conveying her sincere gratitude to the Honourable Speaker for launching it.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Speaker for taking her time out to be here with us and this shows her commitment to early childhood development in the country,” Mrs Khondoker said.

“This programme is solely focused on children who can’t afford to learn in our school and we are happy include them also in our curriculum.”

“This is basically taking our early childhood education to them and teaching them in their respective villages. The programme was piloted in Nawaka and now we are moving to Narewa with the hope of further expanding.”

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