Department Basic Education meets with Early Childhood Development partners for the developments’ Workshop 2030 Implementation Strategy in Midrand

The Minister of the Department of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister Dr Regina Mhaule, and Director-General Mathanzima Mweli recently took part in an exhilarating two-day Early Childhood Development (ECD) Workshop at Vulindlela Campus in Midrand.

The workshop, from May 14–15, was centred around implementing the ECD 2030 strategy. Discussions revolved around gathering inputs and commitments from all stakeholders to implement the 2030 Strategy for ECD Programmes, among others.

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Mweli explained the programmes served as a roadmap towards these goals and formed the basis for a new social compact between all ECD role-players, aligning efforts and resources behind a common strategy.

Motshekga delivered the keynote address at the workshop, emphasising the collective responsibility the nation holds for the education of its children.

Minister Motshekga continued her address with a focus on Reading for Meaning, and Cheryl Weston, director of Learning Recovery and Curriculum Strengthening, delivered a presentation on Strengthening the Curriculum.

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Day one of the workshop concluded with breakout sessions into different workstreams, discussing ECD programmes such as Mass Registration Drive, Data and Infomercial Systems, Infrastructure, Curriculum, ECD Practitioners and Quality Assurance.

DBE engages with various education stakeholders, including the Departments of Home Affairs, Health and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to deal with obstacles hindering the operation of ECD programmes in various communities.

“Yesterday was a remarkable day to deliberate the opportunities and challenges that we are facing in raising this new baby of ECD,” said Minister Motshekga during the second day’s address.

“It was important for us to deliberate on these because we recognise that we cannot strengthen later school outcomes unless the right foundations for learning are in place.”

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