WeeklySA_AdminFuture: Future as a nation, depends on the children being raised today
By Monk Nkomo
South Africans must join hands and work together as a united force in their commitment to create an environment where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to learn, to grow and to succeed.
This was said by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his address at the Bana Pele 2030 Roadmap Leadership Summit in Johannesburg where he stressed the importance of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiative by the Department of Basic Education.
The ECD initiative, he added, should be treated as an urgent priority because it will assist the strategic reorientation of the basic education sector to strengthen foundation learning. The benefits of universal access to ECD extended beyond the education of the child. The ECD was also a critical initiative for developing foundational skills such as language, literacy and numeracy
‘’ It helps to empower families to break free from the effects of poverty. The initiative also emphasises the importance of early childhood development in a child’s life, a period critical for cognitive and emotional development.’’
By focusing on comprehensive early childhood care and education, Ramaphosa said, they could mitigate the disadvantages faced by many children due to poverty and lack of resources. Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, in his recent Budget speech, announced an additional R10 billion in ECD over the next three years.
‘’ As we move forward, we must remember that there is no greater cause than uniting for the benefit of our children. Our future as a nation, depends on the children we raise today. We are determined that every child, no matter where they come from, must have early quality education.’’
Ramaphosa appealed to South Africans to work as a united force to achieve the vision of universal access to quality Early Childhood Development. ‘’ By doing so, we will not only secure the future of our children. We will also secure the future of South Africa itself.’’
This holistic approach would ensure that children not only received education but also proper nutrition, healthcare and a safe environment.
Investing in ECD yielded significant economic returns, according to the President. Studies had shown that every rand spent on early childhood education, could save up to seven rands in future costs associated with remedial education, social services and criminal justice. The ripple effects of a robust system were felt across generations, fostering a cycle of opportunities and growth.
‘’We are all here today because of our shared belief in the profound importance of Bana Pele – putting children first. This belief is the cornerstone of our vision for a brighter future for South Africa. Our immediate focus is to extend access to early childhood development to every child. It is one of the most powerful levers we have to unlock the potential of our nation.
‘’We recognise today that investing in ECD is not just about education. It is about shaping the next generation of skilled, capable and entrepreneurial citizens who will drive our economy forward. Early childhood development provides children with the foundational skills they need to build a successful future. It helps to break the cycle of poverty that is handed down from one generation to the next’’.
Ramaphosa said early childhood development was about giving children from all backgrounds the opportunity to grow into confident and capable citizens who contributed positively to society. Children who received a strong start were more likely to succeed in school and the workforce, reducing societal costs in areas such as healthcare, crime prevention and welfare.
‘’Because of the profound effect that ECD can have on social well-being and development, we have decided to put our children first’’.
The experiences and interactions children had, could significantly influence their future learning potential. Ramaphosa welcomed this wonderful initiative for business, civil society and government to work together to shape the future of early childhood development.
‘’We call on all ECD programmes to register with the Department of Basic Education so that all our children can receive the start in life that they need and deserve. We have seen time and time again how South Africa excels when we come together. We have consistently shown that we can solve difficult problems when we unite for a common cause’’
