Government urged to fast-track Early Childhood Policy

Children rights activists have urged government to ensure the quick adoption of the Early Childhood Development Policy as a step towards ensuring fulfillments of the rights of children.

Addressing the media today, Hadijah Mwanje, the executive director of High Sound for Children, a child rights organisation, said research has demonstrated that high quality early childhood programs enhance the child’s language, emotional, intellectual and social skills which are essential for transitioning well and participating in formal schooling.

"Children with these skills and experiences are more likely to enroll on time, stay in school and perform well. In the long run, ECD reduces class repetition, school dropouts, and related costs of schooling and overall, increases efficiency in education," she said.

The Education Act 2008 recognises pre-primary education as the first level of education in Uganda and four programs that is to say day care centres, home based centres, community centers and nursery Schools are recognised.

Majority of these centers are in the hands of the private sector and below standard.

Findings from the ministry of Education assessment study in 2013 showed that only four (4) out of the 50 institutions inspected were licensed and registered by the ministry.

Similarly, 91% of inspected ECD Teacher training institutions were not licensed or registered. This is because

they fell short on the required standards.

"We are aware that the ministry of education is reviewing the ECD policy but the private sector has not been consulted yet. Heads of nursery schools, and teachers are in charge of implementing the policy," Mwanje said.

Mwanje implored government to expedite the finalisation of the policy so that there are clear guidelines,

control and quality assurance and safety of our young children.

We also urge government to take control of the early childhood education sector and ensure that all its primary schools have early childhood education centres in the new policy that is in the pipeline.

According to the 2014 household population census, children between 0-8 years attending school stand at 3,827,118 while 3,214,716 are out of school.

"There is also need to regulate private centres to protect parents from exploitation by schools. We also call upon all players in the early childhood sector like the Ministry of gender, health, civil society and media among others to publicise issues around the sector as stipulated in the Integrated Early Childhood policy," she said.