Malawi: Neil Masamba, Child Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community development and Social Welfare, announced that the government will start training in ECD. More than 40,000 caregivers in the country will have access to the training in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to enhance their tutorial skills.
Masamba made the remarks on Sunday at Embangweni in Mzimba during an open day organized by several media organizations. The official said there are many caregivers who lack requisite skills to train young minds.
As such, it is the responsibility of the ministry find ways to train and sustain them in their role as caregivers. The ministry understands that there are gaps in teaching capacities which need to be filled with training and skill development.
The ministry will train the caregivers in phases.
MBC’s DBU coordinating officer, Sebastian Mthatiwa, urged parents at Embangweni in Mzimba to send their children to ECD centres.
“Early Childhood development is critical in children between 0 and 8 years because it helps build cognitive skills such as language skills, problem solving and memory retention. We therefore urge communities to embrace ECDs for their children,” he said.
Mthatiwa said that the Malawi broadcasting corporation has partnered with UNICEF to raise awareness on the role of men and women in ensuring children between 0 and 8 years attend ECD centres.
Mmbelwa District Council official, Isabel Chakhame said the council Understands the importance of early childhood development education of children. They have, as such, encouraged parents to send their kids to the centres.
More and more parents should also learn about ECD as basic learning of the children starts at the home level with parents and other caregivers. The people who cannot provide basic ECD education or whose children have progressed beyond Basics can be supported through ECD centers in different parts of the country
More villages in the country need ECD centers to promote strong roots and beginning of education career for children.
The education sector of Malawi needs more support and infrastructure development.