Programme director
Minister of the Department of Social Development
Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development
Officials from various government departments
Members of civil society organisations
Principals and Practitioners of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres
Our most important guests, children of KwaMhlanga
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Today is a very important day for children. 1 June is celebrated in many countries as International Children’s Day. Here in South Africa, we are also observing this day as the Day of the African Child as adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2000.
International Children’s Day was initially observed in a few countries, like China and Switzerland in the 1920s. This day has over the year gained global recognition with UN agencies, particularly United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) placing emphasis on issues of rights of children.
We use this day to reflect on the progress we are making as society to protect and promote the rights of children. In South Africa, this day takes place during the national Child Protection Week, which itself is aimed at raising community awareness about the need to protect children from various forms of harm.
The theme for Child Protection Week this year is: "Working together to protect children"
Our focus today is on the right of children to Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Development is an "umbrella term" that refers to the processes by which children from birth to nine years of age grow and flourish socially, physically and mentally. Government emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to child development covering the areas of child’s health, nutrition, education, psycho-social and other environmental factors within the context of the family and the community.
Implementation of ECD programmes is an inter-sectoral responsibility currently shared amongst various Departments and levels of government. For instance, the Department of Social Development has primary responsibility for social well-being of all children while Education caters for their academic needs from grade R upwards. Health also cuts across focusing on health and nutritional status of children.
It is important therefore that government departments work together to ensure universal access to good quality ECD services for all children regardless. The Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities is playing the coordination and oversight role to ensure that all services due to children are prioritised and delivered accordingly by various government entities. We also have a responsibility as the department to mobilise all sectors of our society to work towards the full realization of rights of children.
Programme director, education is one of the five key priorities of government because education has the potential pull our people out of conditions of poverty. Through education, we can ensure that every child grows up to his or her full potential.
Early Childhood Development Programme is the beginning and the foundation of quality and formal education. If we want South African children to perform well throughout the education system, we need to pay more attention to the implementation of our ECD Programme. We have to ensure that all children receive appropriate stimulation, cognitive development and are ready for school by the age of 6 years.
According to the General Household Survey, the percentage of 5-year olds attending education institutions increased from 40% in 2002 to 63% in 2008. (i.e. 646 000 children enrolled in 13 700 registered ECD centres). These figures include children in school-based as well as non-school education programmes. This significant growth is undoubtedly the result of government’s prioritisation of the Reception year programme.
Government’s prioritisation of early childhood development is also reflected in public expenditure on this programme, which is projected to grow strongly over the medium term. This includes the Department of Basic Education plans to build 1 300 Grade R facilities over the next three years in public schools. Government target is to ensure that through the combination of public, private and subsidised Grade R programmes, all five to six year old children should have access to Grade R programmes by 2014.
Successful ECD programme will ensure that the education system is free under-prepared learners and reduce the risk of failure or drop out at the formal school level.
We need to be always conscious of the special needs of children with communication and emotional disabilities. We have to ensure that the ECD programme is able to identify and assist them accordingly. We cannot allow school dropout as a result of disability.
While we recognise the need for special schools for severely disabled children, our advocacy activities also focus on supporting the implementation of inclusive education policy as required by the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities. We therefore have to ensure that our facilities and programmes take in consideration the needs of children with disabilities.
In conclusion, I need to emphasise that our efforts towards full realisation of rights of children can only succeed through a strong collaboration between government, civil society, communities and all other partners.
Let us work together to ensure that all ECD facilities are registered and that those who qualify receive appropriate support from government. Let us work together to deliver quality Early Childhood Development services to our children.
Thank you.
