I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to correspond with my international contact, Godfrey, from Kenya. I have learned a great deal with regard to the many similarities our countries have as we try to improve equity in early care and education.
The past two weeks, once again, Godfrey has been kind enough to take the time to engage in a discussion about quality and professionalism in early education. Godfrey has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and with that degree he works at a college overseeing Diploma and Certificate students. The difference in education between Diploma and Certificate students is minimal; all students are introduced to the basics of early childhood development and education. The contents of instruction are not as in depth for Certificate students and the programs have different entrance requirements with the Diploma student needing higher grades to enter. Both can work as teachers in centers and Godfrey reports that interestingly it is often the Certificate students that are rated higher in the field. This made me think of our discussion this week in class about what the requirements to be an early childhood educator need to be.
His primary duty is to train teachers that will work directly with children at child care centers. The Ministry of Education provides a syllabus that covers diverse topics that include curriculum, child rights, management of early childhood centers, as well as, special needs education. The hope is that with an extensive curriculum teachers will be better prepared for various issues that come up once they enter the classroom. Additionally, Godfrey assesses teaching students in the field, focusing on pedagogy. Further, the Diploma students in Kenya conduct research on various issues in the field of early childhood. Godfrey feels it is important that the ministry allows students to be exposed to conducting research. I shared with Godfrey that in the United States, it requires at a minimum a master’s degree and in most cases a doctorate to oversee education students although some of the requirements, such as research, seem very in depth for non-master’s level work.
I shared with Godfrey that I was a master’s degree student when looking for someone to correspond with. I shared that I was an Early Childhood Studies student with a specialization in Administration, Management and Leadership. I chose this specialization because although I knew I wanted to advance my career this allowed my several options, to direct a center, to work with adults within the profession or to work in the area of advocacy. Godfrey shared that he would also like to continue his education and specialize in the area of developmental psychology or special needs education in order to develop a better understanding of children. He intends to establish a consultancy and training firm to deal with ECE issues. I wish him much success! I can feel his passion for his work in the messages we have shared and know the ECE field in Kenya is blessed to have him.
The government and NGO’s sponsor conferences and workshops for educators in Kenya. One held last fall was entitled Knowledge Sharing Among ECE Stakeholders. Godfrey, like many of us in the ECE field find attending conferences, workshops and earning advanced degrees challenging due to time and financial constraints.
As this class nears the end I would like to thank Godfrey for taking time to share his thoughts and dreams with me, a stranger from across the globe. It is my intention to stay in touch with my new professional contact to support each other as we continue our journeys in the ECE field. Who knows maybe someday we will have the blessing of meeting in person.
