[www.inewsguyana.com] – Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence says the government expects to achieve universal Early Childhood Care by December 2015.
“The Establishment of our childhood centers will be initiated by the Government and it is expected to move towards public-private-partnerships. These centers will provide quality teaching that will facilitate learning for our 0 to 4 year-old children and, in the process ensure their easy transition to primary education,” she said.
According to the minister, at the end of September 2015, the Ministry will be revealing its Early Childhood Development Program.
“This program encompasses a comprehensive approach of policies and programs targeting children from birth to about eight years,” Lawrence told the National Assembly.
In addition, parents and care givers will also be beneficiaries of this program, which aims to help protect the child’s rights to develop his or her full cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual potential, and it addresses many of the very persistently pressing social issues.
Noting that families play a critical role in a child’s early development, she highlighted the fact that a Childhood Centre will be set up and housed in the Family Court, to cater for children who are in the middle of family disputes.
“We at the Ministry of Social Protection have started working with various stakeholders to address the prevalence of dysfunctional families. We recognise the need to create greater economic opportunities for people to progress and at the same time we will hold people more accountable for the protection of their family members. Child abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect and domestic violence are too common place,” Lawrence said.
According to the Minister, the government will implement an Early Childhood Development Program to comprehensively address policies and programs relating to children, including those in institutional care.
Noting that the high number of children in institutional care, Lawrence said there must be help for families so they can provide for their children.
“Every child should be with a family, biological, adoptive or foster family,” she said.
Extremely important to invest in education at an early age spearheaded by trained and adequately paid teachers. We need to keep them so their expertise would not benefit another country. The time is now to focus on our much neglected children the future leaders of our beloved country.
Let’s sees how the cookie crumbles
Awe the benefits of the private sector… hmm I guess this was due to the new govt in power, a renew and vibrant private sector.. I call it “sponging off the hard work of 23 years of work and vibrant policy.. where are the brain deads and. Rock inhabitants”..
Excellent idea. Many do not realise that the most formative years of a child’s development is from 0-6. It’s imperative that teaching is delivered by trained and qualified early years teachers. They must also possess qualities of an excellent teacher. There must be partnership between the centres, parents, agencies and those involved.
Hope its successful.