Minister Motshekga highlights the Need for Children’s Early Phase Development

Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, has highlighted the importance of the foundation phase for children’s development.

The Department of Social Development turned over the Early Childhood Development (ECD) duty to the Department of Basic Education at Freedom Park in Pretoria, where Motshekga spoke.

The symbolic hand-over of the #ECDFunction has been done. All administrative processes and milestones have already been met to ensure a seamless transition.

From today the DBE is responsible to support, subsidise and regulate ECD programmes. pic.twitter.com/tFIuVt0GXz

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) April 1, 2022

The transfer follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the 2019 State of the Nation Address that responsibility for ECD centers would be shared by the two departments.

According to Motshekga, they have been working nonstop to ensure a smooth handover.

“There is no better approach to build a better future than to concentrate on and strengthen the early foundation.” Early childhood education, we think, is the cornerstone for development and growth. Today is a watershed moment, as we join our counterparts around the world in transitioning ECD from social development to basic education.”

“The ECD function shift will be doomed without involving civil society, the corporate sector, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, and parents. Its success depends on our collective understanding to achieve universal and equitable access to quality ECDs.” pic.twitter.com/9m2MzJb3oK

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) April 1, 2022

Fixing education starts with foundation phase 

Premier David Makhura of Gauteng says the country’s education system must be fixed from the ground up.

Makhura said there are substantial holes in the foundation phase of the schooling system in his speech at the inaugural primary school summit in Randburg in March 2020.

He believes that being among the highest performing provinces in terms of matric scores, but paying little attention to lower grades, does not assist.

According to the prime minister, if children are well educated when still young, and technology-related subjects are introduced, the country will gain in the long term.