Pre-primary school
Studies show that people who attended pre-primary school performed excellently in all their academic studies and have succeeded in life. Young children who participate in pre-primary schools are more likely to love the school that those who did not. They are also more creative and have well developed innovative mind by the time they complete their primary education. The reason why most parents in California do not take their children to pre-primary schools is that they cannot afford the tuition fee. The middle and high-income parents do not understand the benefits of subjecting their children to the school hustles at such an early age. Research shows that very few states have compulsory two or one-year pre-primary education. Studies have revealed that about 45 percent of the countries worldwide provide one-year free preschool education while just 27 percent provide two years of free preschool education. Researches also show that only 19 percent of the nations have made it compulsory for two years of free pre-primary schooling. In such countries, no child can be allowed to attend primary school without a certificate of two years of preschool completion. Some middle and high-income population can buy their young children learning materials and high an ECD teacher to help them learn. Though it is a useful endeavor, it presents a considerable problem when children enroll in primary school because of the inequality in learning ability. However, research shows that free two years of compulsory preschool education greatly benefits children from a low-income background.
Ansari & Pianta 2018) assert that early preschool education plays a vital role in reducing inequality, both educational and economic. Children below four years know nothing about economics and class disparities. They also know little about racial differences and view each other as lovely human beings. Most will form social groups depending on interests and, to a small extent, their gender difference. Boys will want to play together with other boys and the same with girls. Benner et al. (2017) suggest that pre-primary school is the best time to teach children about racial equality and why discrimination is an evil practice. A study by Cebolla-Boado et al. (2017) found out that people who attended pre-primary education are less likely to engage in racial, ethnicity, or gender-discriminatory practices at work or in life. It also shows that children who get pre-primary education are more likely to stay longer in school than those who do not. Most people with Bachelor’s degrees, Masters, Ph.D., or Doctorates attended preschool in childhood and grew to love school. That is why they pursue an education at the slightest opportunity even at old age or even when they have a great career. The level of education of adults determines the wellbeing and the health status of the children. Education inequity is the primary reason for the rise in social and economic disparities, which contributes to intergroup differences within and between societies. The educational level of a population determines their health status. Education is a tool through which people get knowledge and skills. It also provides them with techniques for handling problems presented by life. It is through education that people know their rights and how to access justice. People learn their roles in the nation, family, and society from schooling. In school, Karoly (2016) claims, children learn to accommodate disparities and to live in harmony with each other regardless of their differences. Education is the only key known to open prosperity and shut economic and social problems. Some once low-income families are now some of the wealthiest people in the United States because they educated some of their children who later got well-paying jobs that enabled them to change their family’s economic status. Historically, it is evident that most colonized nations were redeemed by its educated few who pursued liberation. They ensured that more of its members were educated. Countries vary economically and politically because of the educational levels of its population. Over 80 percent of the United States population comprises people who have high school and above education. For that reason, it is more developed, and technology and sophisticated innovation come from it. It is economically stable, and most developing countries depend on it for funding and other resources. However, the situation in Los Angeles would be different had all the population been educated. Lack of pre-primary education makes some children from a low-income background to drop school before completing the primary education or immediately after its completion. Kettler et al. (2017), in their recent research, found out that the children who attend preschool are 95 percent more likely to stay in school longer than those who do not. Education expands one’s vision of the world view and provides the capability to fight evils such as corruption, injustice, and discrimination in society. Education is an essential element in the evolution of a country because it helps people explore new ideas. In today’s industrialized world, education plays a significant role, and for people to survive the pressures of competition, they need a good education. Studies reveal that the rate of technological advancement has escalated at lightning speed. For that reason, in the coming few years, the lowest acceptable education qualification for low-income people will be a high school certificate. That is the reason why governments should give free-pre-primary education a priority to enable more children to get an education.
My Proposal
Free pre-primary education will be an exemplary move towards providing equal education opportunities to all children in the country regardless of their social class. Children in preschool education are imparted with creativity knowledge that helps them become better innovators in the future. They also learn interpersonal relationship that helps them cope with relational issues in adolescence and later in life. Children will love school from that early age and, therefore, the rate of dropout will reduce. A free compulsory pre-primary education will reduce inequity in the primary school because all children will learn under the same curriculum. The government will provide funds to facilitate the free-preschool learning. Most children from the low-income background may find it beyond their ability to bring their children to school and pick them later in the day. Therefore, the government should provide school buses that will pick these and other children to and from school. Picking children from home and back will motivate the children to love school. Most parents will like the idea of taking the children to school as they go about other businesses instead of remaining with them at home or hiring caretakers. The government should also cater to the tuition fee for every child. Although it may require a substantial amount from the treasury, the government will significantly profit in the future.
One of the benefits of free compulsory pre-primary school is that the children will get used to a consistent routine and learning structure at an early age, which will make them think that that is how life is supposed to be. In other words, the kids will develop a liking for education and take learning as a part of the experience they have to live. Preschool focuses more on early learning and introduces children to academics, which prepares them for formal schooling. Preschool education helps children learn interpersonal relationship skills early in life before they begin forming their characters. It helps in the elimination of biases and discrimination that develops after five years when their character is fully developed. They learn to appreciate each other unconditionally, and this continues to primary, secondary, and in the future. Such children become better managers and employers who discourage racial, gender, or any formal discrimination.
When more children develop a love for school, the rate of dropouts will drop significantly. Soon, the rate of crime will reduce because there will be less idle people, and the majority will be busy pursuing education. The Preschool education curriculum instills creativity in children. Therefore, there will be much innovation in the future, some of which will be experienced before they complete their education. The rate of employment will reduce as these children become great entrepreneurs due to creativity, love for learning, and high education. Those from low-income backgrounds will raise the living standard of their family member when they get a well-paying job or start their own business. It means that the rate of poverty in the country will reduce. Children below five years learn academic and social skills, which help them become excellent scholars. Their trained teachers help them uncover their talents and potentials, which are later nurtured by their primary and high school teachers. A country with a high number of educated people is productive, has a high GDP, and collects high revenue, which it uses to cater to the needs of its citizens. Most couples stop working to take care of their children. If they do not have enough savings, they decide on having the kids’ mother stop working as the father take several jobs to meet the expenses of the family. It deprives the country of productivity as more women spend their entire time at home with young children. Free compulsory pre-primary education will ensure that all people become productive citizens because the burden of taking care of children will cease. There has been increased divorce in the country due in part to financial pressure contributed by one partner staying at home. Many times, the salary from one partner is not enough to cater to the financial needs of the family. As economic pressure mounts, disagreements arise, and the conflicts lead to divorce. Free preschool education will reduce divorce cases as parents work while their children acquire knowledge and social skills.
Finally, I believe free compulsory pre-primary education will reduce the crime rate as more children pursue their education. It will also set parents free to become productive citizens as they go to work or attend their businesses. The rate of divorce will get lower as financial pressure reduces. Children will learn social and academic skills which they will use throughout their life in school. Preschool education will reduce discrimination and develop creative learners. The trained teachers will unearth children’s potential and talents, which will be nurtured by the teachers in the course of learning. Free compulsory pre-primary school is beneficial to the children, the parents, the government, and society.