Dominica State College celebrates Early Childhood Month (SEE PHOTO OF EXHIBITS)

The Early Childhood Department of the Faculty of Education of the Dominica State College celebrated Early Childhood Month with a panel discussion and an exhibition.

The 22 early childhood educators who are pursuing their associate degree in early childhood education celebrated Early Childhood Education Month on Nov. 23 under the theme “Empowering Communities Through Early Childhood Education” by showcasing their inclusive outdoor playground  and presenting position paper for and against ‘Inclusive Early Childhood Education’.

Mrs. Josette Jno Baptiste and Ms. Debra Charles presented their paper in favor of inclusive early childhood education while Ms. Jermin Martin and Ms. Vilna Lecointe, though not totally against inclusive education, presented their papers, focusing on the practicability of inclusive early childhood education from  a Dominican context.

While inclusive early childhood education  promotes acceptance, a sense of belonging , greater collaboration among  caregivers and enhanced self esteem , Ms.  Lecointe  pointed out that  the low salaries, inadequate  trained personnel, unavailability of  adequate resources  as well as the individual  attention from care givers  necessary for effective inclusion as some  the major barriers to  successful inclusion in Dominica.

Present at the activity were the President of the College Dr. Donald Peters, Dean of the Faculty of Education Mrs. Mary Vidal, Mrs. Beverly LeBlanc, Early Childhood /Special Education Specialist and Lecturer at the Faculty of Education of  Dominica State College, Coordinator of the Social Center Ms., Norma Cyrille and Mr.Ainsworth Irish, President of the Association of Parents Advocating for the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Society.

Dr. Peter congratulated the early childhood educators on their hard work and commitment and pledged the college’s support to ensure that they continue to receive the quality of education they need to ensure the nation’s future.

Mrs. Vidal shared the same sentiments and expressed how pleased she was with the progress that the early childhood educators had made since the beginning of the program.

The early childhood educators are two semesters away from completing their program and so far have cover   numerous topics including nine credit hours of special education classes.

When they graduate, they would have made history in the Commonwealth of Dominica by being the first group of early childhood educators to have attained an associate degree in early childhood education.