Online Reporter
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has approved the Early Childhood Development (ECD) co-ordination framework whose aim is to harmonise children’s policies while laying a solid foundation for the country’s human capital development and poverty eradication.
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi presented the policy framework before Cabinet yesterday in his capacity as the Cabinet Committee on Social Service and Poverty Eradication chairperson.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the framework will guide in providing holistic and quality services to minors under the age of seven.
“The Early Childhood Development Co-ordination 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 up to seven years,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the objective for the framework is to harmonise existing ECD policy-related goals, strategies and initiatives within and across all sectors. It will set, improve and align standards to ensure equitable access to well-co-ordinated, quality, inclusive and affordable ECD services.
Dr Muswere said the policy will also strengthen the capacity of existing systems and structures to deliver integrated quality and inclusive ECD programmes.
He said the policy is in line with the national policies, which recognise the importance of developing sound ECD policies.
“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,” said Dr Muswere.
The minister noted that with the establishment of the policy framework, the country is also complying with 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,” he said. — @nqotshili
