This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Published on November 7, 2019, a time when schools across the country were holding fully fledged graduation ceremonies for five-year-olds as they 'graduated' from pre-primary to primary school.
These ceremonies, complete with little caps and gowns, awards, and certificates, have raised eyebrows among many, who see them as an over-the-top celebration of a milestone that, arguably, is not as significant as it's made out to be.
Finishing pre-primary level is indeed a special moment, marking the end of a nurturing period and the beginning of a new chapter in a child's educational journey. However, the elaborate graduation ceremonies that accompany this transition have been criticized for being an unnecessary expense and a pressure on parents to make the occasion memorable.
Some parents have been known to dig deep into their pockets to cater for gowns, food, and drinks, while others have lamented having to take days off from work to attend the ceremonies. The fee for gowns alone has been described as 'ridiculous.'
Moreover, the emphasis on marking every milestone in a child's life, including those as minor as completing pre-primary school, risks creating a generation that feels entitled to certificates of participation and rewards for every minimal task or responsibility they perform.
Ministry of Education officials and Early Childhood Development Education leaders should look for an affordable and less exaggerated way to mark pupils' transition from pre-primary to primary school.
