Education may be seen as a privilege for
many people but is a basic right for children in many parts of the world including countries like Ghana. The constitution of Ghana guarantees every child the right to education. The SOS children’s villages helps the children acquire quality education in Ghana and other countries with the establishment of its educational facilities.
By building SOS kindergartens, SOS children villages not only provides for the educational needs of the children from the villages, but also improves educational opportunities locally, particularly from surrounding districts. These kindergartens offer children from both the SOS children’s villages and the local neighborhood access to early learning and supervised play facilities that would not otherwise be available.
The main aim of SOS children’s villages is to provide children who were orphaned and destitute a place they can call home and provide them with an opportunity to grow up to become independent. This goal can only be achieved if these children receive quality education and the skills which are vital to help them secure their independence. Mr Michael Tsagli, village director, S.OS children’s village Tema says, the ‘’ KG really helps to prepare children who are admitted into the village at a later age.’’ The school helps to provide them first hand education at their own pace till they are ready to join the larger groups.
The teaching methods employed, and the games and toys used at SOS kindergartens are based on the educational theories of Friedrich Frobel and Maria Montessori, taking due account of the cultural requirements of the country concerned. The emphasis is on the children’s natural creativity and allowing them to develop at their own pace. The daily kindergarten programme contains two important parts: free play and activity. During free play, the child can choose what, with whom, how long and where he or she wants to play. This enables them to learn how to decide for themselves, according to their own choice and imagination. Through play, they also learn the necessary rules of community life. The goal of the daily activity time is to familiarize the children with their new environment. Through carefully prepared activities, they learn how to correctly handle materials under the guidance of their educators.
In addition to regular kindergarten activities, pre-school programmes are provided which are designed to stimulate young children in line with their talents and prepare them for admission to primary school. The focus here is on development through play with regard to social, intellectual and motor skills. Coaching programmes are also available for children with special needs.
Mrs. Elisabeth Ocloo, Head of school declares, ’’the SOS kindergarten really provides a good start for all children irrespective of their backgrounds.’’ ‘’with the kind of exposure they get in the school they are always ready to excel by the time they reach the primary school.’’ She added.
Great emphasis is given to staff selection and qualification to ensure that the children are given the best possible care. Continuous training is also provided for kindergarten staff where required.
The availability of suitable classrooms, games, and toys ensures that the children are given the optimum condition for developing their social, intellectual and creative skills. The S.O.S kindergartens often prepare the children right from the beginning to start the process of developing their potentials. Without the kindergarten education, not much could have been achieved.
