Early Childhood Development negligence worries association
The Association of Early Childhood Development in Malawi (AECDM) has bemoaned low levels of funding to the sector despite the crucial role it plays in socio-economic development.
AECDM Programmes Manager, Maureen Katola, said this during a transitional training for primary school teachers at Ntaja in Machinga District.
The training helps junior primary school teachers learn how to handle children with disability when they join the primary school system from early childhood centres.
Katola said, although the country has made strides in enhancing access to early childhood education, most children with disability struggle to access the services.
“At 45 percent, Malawi has made some progress in as far as ECD [Early Childhood Development] is concerned but we need to work hard so that the remaining 50 percent of Malawian children who do not have access to ECD services are reached,” Katola said.
She added that there cannot be sustainable development if children are neglected.
“You see, the first three years are very important in human development and, as such, if we invest in our children at this stage, the country is likely to have adults that are responsible citizens in the future,” Katola said.
AECDM is training primary school teachers and about 60 teachers from Machinga and Mangochi districts have been earmarked for the programme.
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