Gauteng MEC Chiloane talks addresses the future of ECDs in Soweto
MEC Chiloane outlined that the department remained committed to investing in ensuring ECD is top priority as its intent was building ECDs of the future.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres gathered at the Nkone Maruping Primary School in Bramfisherville over the weekend to hear Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane deliver the main address at the ECD Open Day.
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The open day themed ‘Working together towards improving access to Early Childhood Education and Care’ was held with the aim to provide a platform between the Education Department and individuals operating within the sector to engage.
This as the sector was moved from the Department of Social Development and into the Department of Basic Education.
MEC Chiloane said, “The migration of ECD to the education sector has allowed us the platforms for scale to be built. There is a commitment to design a system of service delivery that is fit-for-purpose,” he said.
“This will be built on existing programmes of nutrition support and early learning that are designed for scale, which can achieve coverage targets by 2030.
“The time is now for us to put in place the large-scale programmes and management systems for ECDs in order for us to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan.”
The open day was to share and engage with ECD service providers working in the sector.
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Chiloane cited the Thrive by 5 report commissioned by the Department which revealed that there was a need to strengthen relations between government and ECD practitioners.
“…children not accessing ECD services in the poorest communities are falling far behind and therefore efforts to address the barriers to accessing ECD services need to be strengthened between government and community partners, or we risk that these children will never be able to catch up with their peers from wealthier communities,” he continued.
MEC Chiloane outlined that the department remained committed to investing in ensuring ECD is top priority as its intent was building ECDs of the future.
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“Through our Gauteng Government Township, Informal Settlements and Hostels programmes, we will ensure that a significant investment is made in ECDs that are based in our TISH.
“Gone are the days during which ECD was a reserve of the privileged few and by implications widening the performance gaps between our schools,” the Mec concluded.
Various businesses providing services and products in the education sector featured during the open day with exhibition stands outside the venue, included Takalami Sesame and Bokang Mojanaie Foundation.
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