News Release
January 21, 2011
For immediate release
Minister welcomes education leaders from Vietnam
Education and Early Childhood Development
A delegation from Vietnam is visiting Prince Edward Island this week to learn about how we are improving our education and early childhood system, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister, Doug Currie.
“We are extremely proud of recent accomplishments in education and early childhood development in Prince Edward Island such as the integration of kindergarten into the public school system and the development of the Preschool Excellence Initiative,” said Minister Currie. “The fact that education leaders from Vietnam are visiting Canada to learn and share ideas is a testament to the quality of education that is taking place here. This visit is also a tremendous opportunity for Islanders to learn more about challenges and opportunities that exist within this sector in other countries.”
A visiting delegation consisting of 14 senior officials from the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training arrived in Prince Edward Island Thursday to meet with representatives from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The two-day tour includes visits to kindergarten classrooms and three early childhood programs. Participants are also learning about early childhood education programs available at Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island.
The Ministry of Education and Training Delegation of Vietnam is here to learn how Canada is developing and administering its Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector,” said Ms. Ngo Thi Hop, Deputy Director, Department of Early Childhood Education, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam. “In particular, we expect to learn more about various policies the PEI government is using to promote early childhood education in the province. We are interested in hearing about financing policies for kindergarten and childcare services. Other areas of interest involve services available for children as well as teacher training and professional development.”
Meetings with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development are focusing on important projects such as the introduction of kindergarten to the public school system and the launch of the Preschool Excellence Initiative in 2010.
“The Government of Prince Edward Island continues to invest in education and early childhood development initiatives which are essential for the well-being of our one Island community and our economy,” said Minster Currie. “These investments will pay off in the future and I want to thank our friends from Vietnam for sharing their challenges and opportunities that they are facing with us. The discussions proved that the common goal is to deliver quality education for our children and students.”