Work begins to change children’s plan into action |25 February 2013

They met in a validation workshop opened at the Seychelles Trading Company’s conference room by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton who is also the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports.

He told the delegates and guests that the plan seeks to translate the priorities and strategies outlined in the ECCE framework into a guide for practical actions with measurable outcomes to be used in the next two years so as to step up those services for our children.

“The ECCE national plan of action represents a qualitative leap in the education and development of children in Seychelles.

 It is testimony to the fact that we have to equip our children, right from their early years, with the skills and knowledge to stand upright when they encounter hardships and challenges in life. We live in changing times,” said Mr Meriton.

He noted that in his state-of-the-nation address last Tuesday President James Michel said the government will continue to invest in education to ensure there is sustainable progress, better results, better performance by students, and a high-level of education that meets the expectations and needs of our people in this new century.

“The importance of the ECCE plan of action to achieve this cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

“We must succeed. The ECCE represents our responsibility to our children; it is the path towards the rebirth and renaissance of our society.

By investing in our children today, we are investing in our own future. It will take some time for us to see the fruits of our labour, but the wait and the actions will be worth it,” he said.

Among the delegates were members of the High Level Early Childhood Care and Education Policy committee, members of the Early Childhood Advisory Council.

The workshop was jointly organised by the High Level ECCE Policy committee and the Institute of Early Childhood Development for the validation of the ECCE national action plan covering the period 2013 - 2014.

Parents and the other partners like representatives from the ministries and organisations involved in the provision of ECCE services discussed the plan, which Mr Meriton said has been developed through collective effort.
 
The ECCE policy document is entitled: Winning for children: A shared commitment.