THE IMPACT OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION IN THE NEXT LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM CASE STUDY THE CITY OF SKOPJE

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the principles in which early childhood education affects the quality of other educational system levels in terms of quality and long-life learning processes. In this research, we discuss some challenges of early childhood education with a bearing on its impact in the upcoming years of education, significance and importance of preschool education. The main reason is to be found in theoretical and empirical insights how this first level of education can impact the contextual and situational dimensions of all kinds of learning and how the system can affect stakeholders and beneficiaries. Methodologically, as above mentioned, the research combines the theoretical and empirical approaches (literature review and survey) with particular focus on the empirical data. Through literature review we tend to emphasize the importance of preschool education and its positive effects on the process of learning. On the other side, the empirical approach provides data regarding the relationship between low attendance (in preschool classes) and the success of the child in primary education and further classes, with the aim to identify eventual weaknesses of the educational system and offer some recommendations on how the relationship between the levels of education can be improved in order to increase the general level of quality for all actors involved; pupils, educators/teachers and parents. It analyzes data from a survey of 60 pupils (divided in two groups) to identify discrepancies between those who have attended preschool classes and those who didn’t. Parents have been part of the survey as well. An interview has been conducted with 30 parents with the aim to identify their uncertainties for not sending children in pre-classes and their perceptions and satisfaction towards the educational system.The results have shown significant differences in terms of success between children attending preschool classes compared to the others, which is an important indicator of how attendance of preschool education can positively affect the system as a whole. Most of the parents interviewed communicate different reasons for not sending their children in preschool classes. Reasons prevailing are mostly related to the economic claims and parents’ skepticism and dissatisfaction towards kindergartens’ infrastructure, staff involved, etc.