PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ECD PROGRAMME

PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION BY MR HM MWELI ON

19 AUGUST 2014

OVERVIEW• Access• Improving quality and efficiency• The South African Integrated Programme of

Action for Early Childhood Development- Moving Ahead (2014-2017)– Overview– Departmental responsibilities– DBE responsibility

• Draft ECD Policy and Comprehensive Programmes – DBE responsibility

• Next steps

ACCESS

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PROGRESS IN PRE-GRADE R (ECD)Percentage of 0-4 year old children attending education institutions by Province, 2002-2013

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

EC 9.3 14.2 12.5 17.5 18.8 18.6 20.3 29.5 32.6 32.9 37.8 37.1

FS 6.8 11.3 11.8 20.4 20.2 21.2 18.0 36.8 33.4 38.2 46.7 58.2

GP 11.9 18.8 18.3 21.7 28.4 24.0 25.4 43.5 42.6 43.6 45.7 56.4

KZN 4.9 8.1 7.3 7.2 7.9 10.4 11.7 23.7 25.1 24.9 27.9 37.9

LP 5.3 10.1 11.8 13.4 17.6 15.5 14.5 27.9 29.6 42.1 37.3 45.6

MP 5.2 8.4 13.1 11.3 13.5 12.4 16.2 28.1 28.5 31.0 28.8 32.7

NW 6.7 11.1 8.9 11.8 8.3 15.6 8.0 21.8 26.7 29.0 32.9 34.2

NC 3.4 5.1 4.1 9.0 8.6 14.2 10.6 19.3 21.1 26.9 25.6 36.0

WC 10.3 14.1 14.3 19.1 16.0 14.1 14.4 27.6 39.4 36.2 39.6 44.8

Total 7.5 12.1 12.0 14.8 16.6 16.5 16.7 29.8 32.3 34.5 36.5 43.3

Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002-2012, DBE own calculations

ENROLMENT IN GRADE R FROM 1997 TO 2013

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Source: DBE, SNAP Survey, 1997-2013

ATTENDANCE IN EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AMONG 5 YEAR OLDS: 2002-2013

Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002-2013, DBE own calculations

PROPORTION OF 5, 6 AND 7 YEAR-OLDS ENROLLED IN AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 2002-2013

Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002-2013, DBE own calculations

IMPROVING QUALITY AND

EFFICIENCY

FOCUS AREA: BIRTH TO FOUROUTCOME DELIVERABLES TARGET DEADLINE

Children will be ready to access formal schooling by laying a solid foundation

Implementation of the National Curriculum Framework for children birth to four years of age (NCF) in registered ECD centres

18, 000 registered ECD centres are implementing the NCF

January 2015

Train all un- and under- qualified ECD practitioners to obtain qualifications at NQF level 4

13, 500 un- and under- qualified practitioners have at least a level 4 qualification (NCF)

March 2015

Strengthen collaboration and cooperation with all relevant government departments and other stakeholders

Effective training and curriculum sub-committee of the National Inter-Departmental Committee for ECD

October 2014

FOCUS AREA: GRADE ROUTCOME DELIVERABLES TARGET DEADLINE

Children will be ready to access formal schooling by laying a solid foundation

Improve conditions of service for all ECD practitioners

5, 000 ECD practitioners at level 6 qualification

March 2015

Absorption of all suitably qualified Grade R practitioners and afford them the requisite benefits

20% of Grade R practitioners who are qualified are absorbed in fully funded posts

December 2015

Amendment of education legislation to make compulsory education begin at 5 years, which provides two years of education before Grade 1

800, 000 Grade R learner will access formal education

January 2015

THE SOUTH AFRICAN INTEGRATED PROGRAMME OF ACTION – MOVING AHEAD 2014 - 2017

OVERVIEW OF POA

• Approved by Cabinet on 18 September 2013– Costing to be concluded with National Treasury

• The plan aims to :– Develop legislation and policy framework for ECD;– Strengthen institutional arrangements, coordination

and integration;– Develop human resources, training and capacity

building in the sector;– Expand and strengthen comprehensive ECD

programmes and services;

OVERVIEW OF POA…(2)

– Develop an integrated infrastructure policy for ECD;

– Develop funding models and partnerships for the sector;

– Develop an integrated monitoring and evaluation framework; and

– Develop and implement a communication and awareness strategy.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIESItem Lead

DepartmentRole of DBE Progress

Legislation DSD Participate in the finalisation of legislation and policies

Draft policy has been developed and Provincial consultations are taking place from April- August for finalisation.

Institutional arrangement

DSD Participate in the development of an integrated governance structure for ECD

Training and Curriculum subcommittee was launched in April 2014

Human resources DBE/DHET Lead (see details)

Comprehensive ECD programme

DSD Participate in the finalisation of the comprehensive package of ECD services.

Develop a curriculum for the sector

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES…(2)Item Lead

DepartmentRole of DBE Progress

Infrastructure DSD Participate in the audit conducted.

Audit report is finalised and awaiting approval.

Funding models and Partnerships

DSD Participate in the finalisation of a funding plan for the sector.

Awaiting the finalisation of the draft policy.

Monitoring and Evaluation

DSD Participate in the development of an integrated Monitoring and Evaluation framework for ECD

Communication and Advocacy

GCIS Participate in communicating key messages to the public on importance of ECD

DBE RESPONSIBILITIES

DBE RESPONSIBILITIESItem Activities Progress

Human Resource Development

Develop the human resource development plan for the ECD sector in collaboration with DHET and the ETDP SETA

A draft overview has been developed.

Improve the quality of ECD services through provisioning of skills and career path for people working with children birth to four years

13, 000 ECD practitioners will be trained towards an ECD National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 in the financial year 2014/15

Participate in the review of the Level 4 qualification for ECD on the National Qualification Framework to address the training gaps of ECD practitioners.

ETDP SETA in consultation with DBE and other stake-holders are reviewing the current qualification to address the gaps.

Develop an integrated professional registration system for ECD practitioners

Negotiations have begun with the HCBC and SACE.

DBE RESPONSIBILITIES… (2)Item Activities Progress

Develop a training programme for the ECD sector on the finalised ECD policy

Once the policy is finalised by the DSD, a training programme will be developed for the range of stakeholders.

Communication and Advocacy

• Organise events to advocate the importance of ECD.

The Department in collaboration with SANLAM, SABC, Kwasukasukela (KWK), are currently conducting Takalani Sesame road shows.

• Participate in the training of Kha Ri Gude volunteers on how to stimulate young children

A programme has been finalised for insertion in the training of KRG volunteers on how to stimulate young children.

ECD POLICY AND PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIESPriority area Key milestones

Support for pregnant women and children under two years of age

By 2024: •30% of pregnant women visited twice at home during pregnancy•20% of all infants receive bi-monthly visits at home till 9 months

Development of a comprehensive food and nutrition strategy for children under five years

By 2016, a national multi-sectoral comprehensive food and nutrition strategy for children younger than 5 years is developedBy 2022, Stunting is reduced to between 5% and 10%By 2030, no young child is:stunted, wasted, severely underweight …is hungry or receives inadequate food and nutrition

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES…(2)Priority area Key milestones

Provision of universal developmentally appropriate early learning opportunities for young children from birth

By 2022:Between 30% and 75% of children participate in a structured pre-Grade R programmeBy 2030:every child enters Grade R ready to learn

Inclusion and support for children with disabilities within all ECD programmes

By 2016, a national multi-sectoral ECD Disability policyBy 2030, all children with developmental delays and/or disabilities have an opportunity to access a comprehensive age-appropriate package of inclusive ECD services

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES…(3)Priority area Key milestones

Public communication about the value of ECD and ways of improving children’s resourcefulness

By 2016:A national multi-sectoral ECD communication strategy is developed, adequately resourced and implemented. By 2030: Expanded opportunities for all children to develop their language, imagination, etcGrowing nationwide understanding of the significance of ECD for health, education, etc.

ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS BEFORE

GRADE 1

ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS

• Medium Term Strategic Framework: 2014-2019– Planning for the introduction of a Pre-Grade R year to

be led by the Department of Social Development

• Targets:– By 2019: All learners in Grade 1 have had access to a

formal Grade R programme (DBE); and– Plan for the introduction of a Pre-Grade R year is

approved (DSD)

.

NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS

• Workshops in Western Cape (19/08) and Gauteng (25/08) will finalise the provincial consultations on the draft ECD Policy and Programmes

• By end of September a detailed report on the process will be prepared for submission to the Social Cluster for approval

• After approval a detailed, costed implementation plan with clear roles and responsibilities for the key departments will be developed.

THANK YOU