Early childhood development has long been recognised as crucial for creating a foundation for children’s lifelong learning and development. Those who specialise in the ECD field believe it potentially provides all the essential skills, knowledge and cognitive abilities crucial for future academic and general success. The education department has long recognised this and in 2015 approved the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (NIECDP).
But, despite its clearly stated intentions, realisation has been extremely slow. Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube this week acknowledged this and pointed out that many children still left the early grades without the basic literacy and numeracy skills required for future learning. In fact, the latest 2030 Reading Panel report found that 81% of grade 4 pupils can’t read for meaning in any language.
The irony is that while the government is bumbling along with its implementation, some non-government educational organisations are doing the work towards achieving the NIECDP goals. The Centre for Social Development at Rhodes University has dedicated more than 40 years to ECD. Its programmes are community centred and holistic.
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Not only does it do extensive training of ECD practitioners, but it encourages nutrition and gardening programmes, as well as parent programmes. And then there is the Ubunye Foundation which similarly champions community-led initiatives focusing on the rural communities in the Ngqushwa and Makana municipalities. It recently earned the title as one of the 10 most inspiring community projects in the country and was recognised for the fact that its “sustainable outcomes” included that it facilitated the creation of 157 new community-owned businesses, established 309 savings groups that have collectively saved R8m, and supported 61 community-run ECD centres that now serve more than 1,220 children.
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