An analysis of dropout rates indicates that a major factor behind is the lack of a strong academic and soft skill foundation from an early age. That’s why we shouldn’t overlook the investment in quality early education and its influence on high school dropouts.
Many studies have quantitatively proven that the chances of one completing their formal education increase significantly if that person had a quality early education. Strong formative years of childhood lay the groundwork for a bright future. Quality early education encompasses a plethora of social, emotional, and cognitive skills. And all those skills help the child to use hts full potential. We’re sharing with you the crucial benefits of investing in early education that directly influence the prevention of high-school dropouts.
1. Building an engagement with academics
An in-deep analysis of dropout rates indicates that a major factor behind it is disinterest in academics. This disinterest might stem from the lack of attention paid towards the child in their formative years. If a child switches directly to elementary education without going through formal education, the chances of his/her disengaging with academics increase significantly. That is why the significance of the preschool period is unparalleled. Pre-schooling allows kids to witness an educational setup for the very first time. It facilitates accelerating their curiosity in learning new things.
Empirical data indicate that the students who have attended a preschool score better grades than those who have not. Evaluating the academic progress of students solely based on grades is not a hallmark of a holistic evaluation process. However, we cannot ignore the fact that low academic success might lead to dropouts at a later stage. Quality pre-schooling is a subtle way of ensuring that students start from an equitable academic ground.
2. Interaction with the outside world
Childhood education is not limited to learning about math, picking up linguistic skills, or recognizing shapes. It is more about preparing for life itself. Thus, no other stage of education can match this one. Kids get introduced to a very new world for the first time. If they can spend quality time with peers, teachers, and parents while learning, they grow fond of it. Later, the probability of them dropping out of high school decreases significantly, as they understand the environment around them better. Children also adapt to follow instructions for the first time. These skills will come in handy at higher stages of education, where they have to apply both their knowledge and skills while grasping new concepts in a format set up. Failing at the beginning, they might find it challenging to progress systematically.
3. Impart a set of life skills
There are various soft skills imparted during early childhood that stay on for very long. At this stage, children forge relationships with friends, teachers, and parents. They can acquire decent communication skills. As they move up the ladder of education, they will be more comfortable working with peers and instructors. Quality early childhood will help children gain the desired range of socio-emotional values. It will further help them to understand social realities as they grow. All of this will aid them to cope up with later rigors of the education system. Thus, investing in personal development could reduce the chances of them dropping out in the future. One cannot ignore the fact that social, and emotional dimensions play an important role in determining academic success and general well-being.
“The first five years have so much to do with how the next eighty years turn out to be”, Bill Gates had once said. For that reason, we shouldn’t overlook the investment in quality early education and its influence on high school dropouts. Parents, educators, and policymakers need to realize the utmost significance of quality childhood development and ensure children are provided with the best of environments so they enjoy what they are learning. Once we are successful in doing this for every child, we will witness a phenomenal transformation in our societies.
About the author: Pranav is an undergraduate student at the University of Delhi majoring in economics. He is
extremely passionate about writing on a plethora of issues. He has written pieces on economics, foreign policy, finance, development, and education amongst others. He is associated with the college societies focusing on research.
