Accra, Sept.5, GNA - Mrs Elizabeth Owusu-Bennoah, Proprietor of Bekdan Academy, on Sunday urged the Government to introduce pre-school education into the curriculum of Teacher Training Colleges. She said this would equip newly trained teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach and handle children.

Mrs Owusu-Bennoah also called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to establish or upgrade some Training Colleges into pre-school specialist training institutions to produce well-trained pre-school teachers.

She made the call at the Fourth graduation ceremony for 33 pupils of Bekdan Academy, a primary school in Accra.

"The availability of more qualified pre-school teachers, will be ideal for success in the implementation of the Government's Educational Policy," Mrs Owusu-Bennoah added.

She commended the Government for its policy to attach pre-school to all basic schools in the country, which would be a relief to nursing mothers.

Mrs Owusu-Bennoah said lack of trained pre-school teachers was a major problem that could affect the educational policy because now there were few teachers trained for pre-school education. She advised parents to spend time with their children and show interest in their education for proper development, adding: "Children can learn better and develop intellectually when you show keen interest in their welfare and training."

Mr Clement Entsua-Mensah, Director at the Institute for Scientific and Technological and Information of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), called on parents to give their children pre-school education, "it is very important for their development". He said parents should invest in their children's education at the formative years.