After being managed by the Department of Social Development for many years, the migration of Early Childhood Development (ECD) administration and functions to the Department of Basic Education is now underway.
The deadline for completion is set for 31 March.
This nationwide migration follows consultation between stakeholders since last year after Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address. He then signed the proclamation of the transfer of administration and functions of the ECD sector.
It stated that the implementation would be effective on 1 April.
This move will allow for standardised ECD functions to ensure structured learning in the sector, including a managed curriculum.
This involves the ECD sector’s curriculum being aligned to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Caps) curriculum.
Altogether 1 183 registered and funded ECD centres in the Free State are expected to migrate.
According to Mamiki Qabathe, MEC for Social Development, the work of her department and that of the Department of Basic Education is on track.
“The ECD function shift affords the Department of Education an opportunity to have a seamless transition of children in the formal education system from ECD level in the age cohort below five years,” said Qabathe.
“Working together with all stakeholders in the ECD sector, we managed to put systems in place to ensure that the function shift does not disrupt the running of the centres.
“I’m pleased with the role of my department in facilitating the process. This was not an easy process because we also have ECD stakeholders that needed to be brought on board to accept and support the decision to migrate.”
Uncertainty about the change saw sporadic protests by a group of people running ECD centres. This allegedly arose from fear of losing “rights” and financial support.
“We managed to allay those fears and bring all to understand that this move was in the best interest of our children. Affording all access to developmental programmes will serve as a good foundation to their formal education.
“Although the ECD function is migrating, my department is still responsible for the protection of these children’s rights. We will continue to provide psychosocial support services to children in need of care and protection, strengthen prevention and early intervention services to address issues of child abuse, neglect and exploitation, and work together with sector departments on issues relating to social ills.”
