Education is fundamental to development and growth.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa made this statement while speaking at the launch of the Early Childhood Education Week at Nabitu District School today.
Vuniwaqa stressed that understanding the need to invest in very young children is important, so as to maximize their future well‑being.
She says that the foundational skills acquired early in childhood make possible a lifetime of learning.
The Minister for Women and Children says that too many times while talking about education and equality, people forget to address the needs of children with disabilities.
Vuniwaqa adds that there are interventions available that can develop the special abilities of such children to ensure that they are able to live an independent life or at least a life that is not totally dependent.
Vuniwaqa also encouraged all students to take good advantage of the opportunity to be educated as they have what many children around the world can only dream of.
She has also encouraged all teachers and parents to pay serious attention to children at the earliest stages of life; they may find that some children's learning needs are greater than others and it is the teachers and parents who will be able to help them the most.
