ActionAid bemoans access to early childhood development services
By Rebecca Chimjeka:
ActionAid has bemoaned the rate of access to early childhood development (ECD) services in the country, where only 47 out of 100 children have access to the same.
Speaking at a review meeting of the charity’s ECD programme, ActionAid Head of Policy and Programming, Peter Pangani, said there is need to promote access to ECD for the country to reap the benefits of education.
“Early childhood development is the key to a full and productive life for a child and to the progress of a nation. Early childhood is a critical stage of development,” Pangani said.
He, however, said, with funding from the Roger Federer Foundation, the organisation has enrolled about 92,000 children in 10 districts in its ECD programme.
The ActionAid official added that they have trained about 4,500 ECD caregivers and built 80 model ECD centres in the country.
“ActionAid, with funding from The Roger Federer Foundation, is implementing a 10-year comprehensive ECD programme aimed at improving lives and well-being of about 150,000 children through access to quality ECD,” he said.
Tennis star Federer recently visited the country, where he appreciated some of the activities he funds.
He is quoted, on his foundation’s website, as saying:
“I believe in the power of people. They might only need some initial empowerment. We know that a good education empowers children by allowing them to take their future into their own hands and play an active part in shaping it. And we trust in the best will of parents that they want to ensure the best possible opportunities for their children.
“For 15 years, my foundation has therefore been committed to enable parents and local communities in providing these children with the opportunity for a good education.”
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