22 May 2025

Early Childhood Development (ECD) serves as a critical foundation for a child's future, making it essential to invest time and resources into this important stage.

Speaking at the Letlhakeng District early childhood development stakeholder meeting, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) education specialist Ms Lesaka Mukokomane emphasised the importance of dedicating both time and resources to ECD to ensure that children receive the best possible start in life, which is crucial for their overall well-being and future success.

Ms Mukokomane emphasised that investing in early childhood development, particularly during the first one thousand days of a child's life, was crucial for unlocking a child's full potential.

Such investments she added, do not only shape individual lives but also communities and societies as a whole.

She explained that ECD encompassed more than just early childhood education as it also included components related to health, protection, and nutrition.

She stated that a child's learning did not begin at school but with stimulation at the household level.

Ms Mukokomane said early stimulation was essential as it ensured that children did not struggle with fundamental skills such as reading.

Ms Mukokomane underscored the need to educate caregivers and parents on comprehensive childcare and protection, noting that the issue of birth registration was also significant.

She stated that creating a healthy and hygienic environment for young children was a fundamental human right, necessary to ensure their survival and well-being, regardless of their background.

While she acknowledged government's progress in ECD, she pointed out that implementation remained a challenge.

Outlining milestones that have since been attained, she cited the introduction of reception classes, the aim of which is to enhance early childhood and developmental services by ensuring that children have access to quality early childhood development and education.

She congratulated Botswana on achieving Gold Tier status, stating that it is a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.

She said these efforts made a real difference in helping children survive and thrive.

Ms Mukokomane stated that advancing ECD, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and securing adequate funding for ECD programmes were essential.

Home Economic Officer I, Ms Mpho Motswaledi emphasised that preschools should not be used as drop-off centres while parents work at the Ipelegeng programme.

She said they should fulfill their intended purpose of providing early childhood education.

She expressed concern that children with disabilities are often not adequately cared for in preschool centres. ENDS