Getting to Know My International Contacts—Part 2: Excellence and Equity of Care and Education for Children and Families

This week the issues and trends that we are studying about is Excellence and Equity of Care and Education for Children and Families. When I got in touch with my international contacts and asked them about their personal or professional experience about which issues related to excellence and equity are the forefront of professional discussions in their countries and their insights on those issues related to excellence and equity, they shared abundant information that deepens my understanding of excellence and equity of care and education for children and families.

The two international contacts are my colleagues from our early childhood learning center. One is Mary Ann Lopez, from Philippines, who has been working in our international school for around ten years in China. She shared what changes she has seen in China regarding excellence in early childhood field. Below is a paragraph that she wrote to me to share her insights. 

“Education is for all, and every child deserves the best education. However, there are a lot of factors that affect the excellence and equity of care and education for both children and families. First, the country’s view about children’s future. I believe that China is now beginning to spend more hours in learning English, for English is becoming a must to be competent in the future. In addition, I heard recently that Pre-K and K have less homework than before. I think China is beginning to see the value of play during early childhood. Second, the school; its mission, vision, and philosophy.  We are fortunate to have administrators and teachers who work together to nurture every child to become an effective communicator, collaborator, independent learner, complex thinker, and global citizen. With this aim, the school provides teachers with trainings to improve their skills in serving the children. Teachers are another factor that affects excellence and equity of care and education for both children and families. Teachers' trainings and skills are paramount in serving children.  There must be a continuous training for teachers to inspire and motivate children to be the best that they can be, because motivated teachers motivate children. In addition, for a teacher to be able to provide excellent education, they need to believe that all children are capable, and make them feel that someone cares for them.  Furthermore, teachers need to figure out what a child needs, to connect with children and families, and to make learning meaningful and purposeful. Teachers not only provide excellent education for children, but also educate families on how they can enhance children’s learning at home and make parents feel they are valuable instruments in providing equal and excellent education for their children.” (A. Lopez, personal communication, July 28th, 2014)

The other colleague is Lindsay Vargas, from Costa Rica, who had been working in her local school and a local international school for around ten years and now has been working in our international school for three years. She shared some information regarding excellence and equity of care and education in Costa Rica.

“I personally believe that excellence of care and education for children is a type of education where children can have the chance to feel validated as human beings. They are not little persons, they are complete persons who are just learning about the world. Excellence of education, as well, gives children opportunities to explore their own interest and creativity, to be innovative to find answers to their wonderings in their daily life. Excellence of care to me is basically to ensure children have what they need to grow healthy. We should provide them with tools to succeed covering basic needs such as love, shelter, health and food. I do believe all the different programs offered around the globe strive to provide children with excellence of care and education. Sadly, I do believe there is a great amount of children around the world who are deprived from even the most basic care and education, due to their life circumstances and the reality of the government and how they allocate their budgets. 

Education in Costa Rica is mandatory for every child from age 6 to 15.  Most of children attend school until they finish junior high (the 9th grade). However, a high percentage of children will leave school to find a job. In rural areas, some are interested in helping their families; some want to make money to buy the things teenagers want. I am certain there is no equity of opportunities in my country. Most of the high-income families enroll their children in good private schools that teach children with innovative approaches. Children from these schools, are exposed to learning experiences in early years. The middle-class families would enroll their children in private schools with more traditional approaches where they would have opportunities to reach excellence, however they would need more effort to do it.  Low-income families have to send their children to public schools, where children at the age of 6 are learning about what children at the age of 3 in good private schools have learned, thus building a bigger gap in every school year. Budgets in public schools are very limited. The teachers do not have the resources to expose children to a great variety of media or experiences.  The children are forced to learn drills dictated by the educators, to copy from boards, and basically to stay stuck in the same kind of education methods used centuries ago.  

It is really hard to get parents involved in the classroom. Some are successful and busy persons who need to attend to conferences and meetings; some are working extra hours to provide their families with food; some are busy with drugs, prostitution, etc. So, how can there be excellence of care and education for children and families if parents are absent?  

The government should find ways to invest more in education for children and families, to help the population understand the importance of education for the success of a nation.  With more educated children who are exposed to excellence of care, the nation will have more opportunities to improve and keep growing.  It is a healthy cycle.” (L. Vargas, personal communication, July 31st, 2014)

From both of the information from my colleagues, I find that excellence and equity of care and education for children and families lies in factors such as the supports from the government, schools with resources available and accessible, well-trained teachers, and educated parents and family involvement. I think that is what are called high-quality programs if all these factors are taken into consideration when we provide children with care and education.