Mr Andrews announced in his speech that he would be reviewing the child development assessment profile for those youngest pupils entering the foundation phase for early years education.

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When asked if there should be a shift in resources from territory education to early years, Dr Melhuish answered with a categorical yes.

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Help me recruit 100, 000 math and science teachers within 10 years and improve early-childhood education.

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Early intervention is important for children with special needs, even in the preschool years through higher education.

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According to his estimates, it could take up to 10 years to get Zimbabwe's education system to where it was in the early 90's.

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Ms. Holcomb said the turn toward very early education began with a 2000 study from the National Research Council that brought together years of research arguing that the first three years of life are crucial in a child's development.

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The education secretary also promised more progress on smaller class sizes, particularly in the early years.

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