Mr Mqaphelisi Sibanda, an Education Specialist with United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Sokoto field office, on has urged education stakeholders’ to ensure holistic approach to child development.
Sibanda made the call during International Day of Play celebration organized for the first time at Sultan Tambari Primary School,.Gwadabawa Local Government Area in Sokoto state.
He said play is fundamental aspect of human experience, essential to strong brain development and good activity for learning soft skills for future that would work as critical for positive mental health.
” UN convention on child rights emphasize on the rights to play as it recognize the right of child to rest and leisure to engage on play as well as recreational activities.
” Play is appropriate to the age of children and for them to participate freely in cultural life and arts.
” It’s fundamental to children physical, social, mental and emotional development and intrinsic to their health and development, ” Sibanda said.
He added that UNICEF collaborate with partners in Sokoto state to celebrate the first-ever international day of play which marks significant milestone in child development.
” It’s effort to preserve, promote, prioritize playing so that all people especially children can reap the rewards and thrive to their full potentials.
” Play also to support the development of children’s learning which is integral part of early childhood education from 0 to 5 years, critical development stage, ” he added.
In his speech, the School’s Head Master, Malam Salisu Abubakar, underscored the importance of play which brings people together, fostering creativity and shaping the mind of the future for children.
” Play is a universal language spoken by all people regardless of age,gender, ethnicity or backgrounds.
” It transcient barriers and connect children from different backgrounds to engage on imaginative games and recreational activities, ” Abubakar said.
The School Based Management Committee (SBMC) Chairperson, Hajia Kulu Gobir, said that children deserved robust educational system, comprehensive healthcare, protection from harm, and the assurance of their voices being heard and valued.
Kulu urged all stakeholders in the country to remember that “every child is a seed that, when nurtured, can grow into a tree that provides shade for many generations.’’
Newsmen reports that children were led on different play activities and songs marking the memorable day.
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