Conference delegates pledge collaborative action on early childhood
DAR ES SALAAM: DELEGATES at the East Africa Regional Early Childhood conference have agreed to collaborate on improving childhood care in Africa through good governance, strong leadership, and partnerships.
The four-day conference, which took place in Dar es Salaam, brought together delegates from 40 countries.
The participants emphasised on the importance of collective action in creating a conducive environment for child upbringing to shape the future generation.
Executive Director of the Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN), Dr Lynette Okengo highlighted the significance of collaboration in early childhood education, stressing that it would propel African nations forward and foster the development of a robust generation.
She emphasised the need for cooperation among regional entities to achieve progress in this critical area.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the conference’s closing ceremony, Mr Ali Abdulgulam Hussein, Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar, emphasised the importance of governments coming together to formulate measures for the holistic upbringing of African children.
He called for the establishment of knowledge-based partnerships among African nations to support each other in child upbringing, growth, and development.
Mr Hussein urged participants to implement the insights gained during the conference in their respective countries and to share experiences with others, stressing the need for tangible changes in the upbringing, nurturing, and development of African children based on the knowledge and experiences exchanged at the event.
Highlighting the outcomes of the conference, Mr Amon Mpanju, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, underscored the importance of translating agreements into action.
He emphasised that meaningful investment in building solid foundations for child upbringing and growth is essential for realising the desired future for Africa.
“If we practically invest in our countries to build an Africa that lays solid foundations for the upbringing and growth of children, for Africa we desire, then this meeting will be very meaningful.” stated Mr Mpanju.
The conference, themed “Investing in Early Childhood: Building Human Capital Along the Life Course,” attracted over 1000 participants from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), governments, Civil Social Organisations (CSOs), international organisations, students, and other childhood care stakeholders.
The event served as a platform for fostering expertise and partnerships aimed at addressing issues related to childhood care in Africa.
Tanzania was the first country in Eastern and Central Africa to launch a national multisectoral Early Childhood Development Programme that is being implemented from financial year 2021/2022 to 2025/2026.
The National Multisectoral ECD Programme seeks to ensure that all children in Tanzania are developmentally on track to reach their full potential.
Building on every woman and every child strategy of survival, thriving and transformation as well as nurturing care framework, the programme will address systemic and programmatic challenges that affect the growth and development of young children 0- 8 years in line with the Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2 which states that.
