By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, March 7, GNA â Mr Mustapha Haruna Appiah, the New Juaben South Municipal Education Director, has urged parents and guardians to enroll their children at age four in preschool, saying early entry helps prevent pupils from lagging academically.
He said parents could nurture learning readiness even at a young age, explaining that the goal was not to teach academic subjects early but to create a state of mind that made a child eager and ready to learn and engage with their environment.
Mr Appiah was speaking at the 2026 Kiddie MarchâPast organised by the Education Directorate for Kindergarten (KG) pupils in the municipality.
The Kiddie MarchâPast, held under the theme âBuilding Prosperity, Restoring Hope,â formed part of activities marking the 69th Independence Day Anniversary.
The day is observed annually on March 6 to commemorate Ghanaâs declaration of independence from British colonial rule under Osaagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The Education Director said the marchâpast also served as an enrolment drive, noting that the brisk march performed by the children demonstrated that public schools offered far more than the perception that kindergarten was only a place for pupils to sleep.
He said smooth transition at the KG level helped children enter formal schooling with greater confidence and a sense of security.
Ms Angela Amankwaa, the Early Childhood Coordinator at the New Juaben South Municipal Education Directorate, said the pupilsâ display of gross motor skills reflected key developmental abilities. She explained that the movement of the arms, legs, and torso formed the basis for physical independence and confidence.
She added that participating in group activities such as the marchâpast helped build cooperation, reduce shyness, and improve social learning among the pupils.
Ms Amankwaa encouraged parents to support the KG enrolment drive to ensure children receive early stimulation and a strong learning foundation.
A total of 40 schools took part in the marchâpast and were presented with certificates and assorted items.
Participating schools included the Koforidua School for the Deaf, RIIS Presbyterian Basic âAâ School, Apimpoa Islamic Basic School, Sarkodie M/A Basic School, Ada Kyerematen Basic âAâ School, New Juaben M/A Basic School and Adweso S.D.A Basic School.
GNA
Edited by D. I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade