Langa Mabena
Gibson Mhaka
CABINET has approved the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Coordination Framework which is designed to harmonise existing policies, strategies, and initiatives, while strengthening the capacity of current systems and structures to provide holistic, quality, and affordable services to children up to seven years old.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the report was presented by Vice President Kembo Mohadi as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Social Service and Poverty Eradication.
“The Early Childhood Development Coordination Framework is a strategy that seeks to harmonise the existing policies, strategies and initiatives; and strengthen the capacity of the existing systems and structure to holistically provide quality and affordable service to the children for up to seven years.
“The specific objectives of the Framework are as follows: harmonising existing ECD policy-related goals, strategies and initiatives within and across all sectors; setting, improving and aligning standards to ensure equitable access to well-coordinated, quality, inclusive and affordable ECD services; as well as harmonising and strengthening the capacity of existing systems and structures to deliver integrated quality and inclusive ECD programmes,” said Minister Muswere.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1): 2021-2025 underscore the importance of investing in early childhood development as a tool for poverty reduction and a vehicle for producing skilled and capable human capital for socio-economic transformation.
“Zimbabwe is also a signatory of several global and regional protocols that call on Governments to ensure that all children access quality early childhood development.
“The Framework therefore aligns the country’s aspirations, policy and legislative environment, as well as international obligations,” said Dr Muswere.
Bongani Ndlovu