First International Biennial Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) February 16-18 |15 February 2017
Caucus shares review report on progress, achievements and challenges
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A review caucus took place yesterday to share the Status Review Report on ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) from 2011 to date, discuss progress, achievements and challenges in ECCE.
The event was hosted by the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) in collaboration with the ECCE sectors and the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (Unesco)-IBE.
A panel discussion with the participation of the sectoral chief executives also formed part of the programme.
The caucus is a side event to the First International Biennial Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education which will be held in Seychelles from February 16-18, 2017. It was graced by the presence of Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon.
Also present were Joel Morgan, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development; Dr Erna Athanasius, Ambassador for women and children; Dr Mmantsetsa Marope, chairperson – director of the Unesco-IBE; Lambert Woodcock, chairman of the National ECCE Trust Fund; David Savy, chairperson of IECD board; chief executives of relevant stakeholders and other dignitaries. Dr Marope is part of the international experts expected at the biennal who will provide their inputs and intellectual support through the high level panel discussion aimed at helping Seychelles address challenges and strengthen ECCE services further.
The ceremony will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding with private sector companies and National ECCE Trust Fund, for a strategic partnership in ECCE development. It specifically concerns the construction of a modern and model day care centre at Grand Anse, Praslin. The signing will be between the chairperson of the national ECCE Trust Fund and representatives of the Ministry of Local Government and private sectors notably of construction companies and commercial banks.
“The caucus today is taking stock of where we are, what has been done, what we have yet to do to be able to take us forward and give a better start to the children of our country,” said Mr Savy.
He said the board of IECD will ensure it perseveres and put into practice whatever it is decided.
In his status review report on ECCE, Dr Andre Leste, the consultant of the ECCE programme, detailed out what has been done, achieved so far and also the challenges being faced.
He said the country is doing fairly well in terms of its commitment to child development and child protection.
He mentioned some key success stories like the National ECCE Trust Fund which was set up to mobilise funds and support; in community development there are a number of day care centres in various districts; there are recreational facilities in the community and the baby gym programme for pre-school children.
As for achievements there are many like the establishment of IECD as a statutory body (IECD Act, 2014); coordinate, develop and launch the National Plans 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 on ECCE; carry out nationwide childminding study with results endorsed by cabinet with recommendations being implemented; convene the 2nd and 3rd biennal national conferences on ECCE 2013-2015; develop framework for the registration, operation and management of childminding services; IECD childminding regulations (2016); launched the institute newsletter ‘Children 1st’; set up of documentation facility with literature, reference books, documents and information on ECCE as a ‘One Stop Shop’ for prospective childhood practitioners, professionals etc. Other achievements were launching of two publications, development of the first ECCE terminology directory and training of childminders among others.
As for the challenges, Dr Leste said getting the quality is one of the main challenges in progress and to achieve quality monitoring, supervisions and instructions are needed.
On some of the issues of concern, Dr Leste said: “ECCE at that time was not forward, was not first thing, was not at the forefront of the national agenda and we needed political commitment; we needed academic knowledge and we needed people to actually bring this ECCE to the forefront,” he said.