ECD’s transition from Social Development to Education, according to Lesufi, is a significant achievement.

By Samantha Allen

Published: May 30, 2022 | 1:54 PM GMT

Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Education MEC, says the transfer of Early Childhood Development (ECD) from the Department of Social Development to his department is a significant success because it will ensure that children receive the essential support from grade R to grade one.

According to Lesufi, all ECD centers would follow the same curriculum.

From a young age, he claims, students will be exposed to mathematics, physical science, and life sciences.

According to the Gauteng Education MEC, this will help to minimize the number of students who drop out of school.

He says the department already started to establish Grade R classes at Gauteng schools and will ensure that there will be Grade R classes in all schools by the end of the year.

The MEC was addressing the media on his department’s budget of almost R60 billion for the 2022/23 financial year at the Gauteng Legislature.

“Gone are the days when our children will just simply be dropped at a creche for them to pray, sing, eat and go back home. We are investing lots of resources to ensure that [we] firstly train educators, develop a curriculum. Thirdly [we] have a standard of infrastructure that must be utilized across our province. Lastly, which is crucial, monitor their progress. This will assist us to ensure that every learner can be tracked, traced and we can understand their social well-being,” explains MEC Lesufi.

Transfer of Early Childhood Development from Department of Social Development to Education Department:

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.