Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Tourism has urged head teachers and principals to incorporate tourism related educational activities in their extra curricular programmes, informing that children who play and learn in outdoor environments appear to be more active, motivated and purposeful in their academic pursuits.
Mr Kiyaramo who made the call when he visited the proprietress of Janice -Light International Schools (Montessori) in Azikoro Town in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state, hinted on plans by his office to launch “Bayelsa Kids In Tourism Initiative.”
According to the SSA, research has shown that outdoor learning can have huge benefits on a child’s mental health as well as and academic performance, pointing out that outdoor educational activities such as excursions and gardening among others help to build a sense of community in children and develop positive feelings in them.
The governor’s aide lamented the poor attention given to kids in the tourism industry, noting that engaging children in outdoor recreational and conservation educational activities enhances positive attitudes.
He added that learning outdoors improves the academic performance, health, and childhood development, reiterating that outdoor conservation educational programmes can instill a sense of civic responsibility and empathy in kids, as well as helping them to build ties within the community.
“Outdoor educational activities also help kids to imbibe such qualities as sportsmanship, teamwork and make them to easily associate with their peers.
“Going outside the school environment for excursions is fun. Introducing children to cartography and earth observation systems is one way to develop their spatial thinking skills which will give them an important edge for years to come,” Mr Kiyaramo explained.
Earlier, proprietresses of Janice -Light International Schools (Montessori), Dr. Janet Y. Ekpefa-Abdullahi said her school runs creche, nursery, primary and secondary classes,
saying that every child is given equal attention, while offering quality education at affordable cost.
