Govt adopts early learning policy

Tsitsi Tasaranarwo–Herald Correspondent

The National Early Learning Policy (NELP) recently approved by Cabinet will help with the provision of care and early education opportunities for children and will enhance their foundational literacy and numeracy skills, stakeholders have said.

The policy was developed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and it is for infants namely Early Childhood Development (ECD), Grades One and Two classes. 

It aims to guarantee that all children learn in a healthy, safe and child-friendly environment. It also will be implemented over a five-year period spanning 2023 to 2027 and it is supported by a detailed implementation plan.

In 2014, Early Childhood Education was officially introduced into the formal school as part of the Infant School Module, with primary school education becoming a 9-year course.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy Mr Taungana Ndoro said: “The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working to strengthen foundational learning in line with the tenets of the Transforming Education Agenda. This is meant to enhance children’s foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

“It is necessary to do the right things at the very foundation of learning, that is, at infant level so that children will acquire literacy and numeracy skills.

“A child who cannot read nor compute simple mathematics will have difficulty in grasping concepts at higher levels of learning.

“Strengthening foundational competencies that encompass the four Rs of reading, writing, arithmetic and digital literacy and inculcation of the reading culture amongst infant pupils will give a firm foundation in the provision of basic education.”

In a bid to ascertain the level of literacy among children transitioning into grade 3, the Ministry was undertaking research each year on internal assessment, the Zimbabwe Early Learning Assessment (ZELA). 

The research, which is undertaken in partnership with the Education Development Trust (EDT), is an intervention aimed at informing gaps in reading and numeracy levels and providing recommendations.

“Our focus is on strategies emphasising our foundational literacies; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) with emphasis on the Arts and their key role in innovation, technical and vocational education,” said Ndoro

Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors (ZINECDA) National Coordinator Mr Naison Bhunhu said: “We are very much elated that finally Zimbabwe’s early learning policy was approved by Cabinet. The policy includes family and community participation within the learning of children. 

“It is no longer a school affair only but parents are supposed to be participating in meeting the developmental milestones of their children. 

“The public has been given the opportunity to participate, demand transparency and accountability in terms of early learning.”