ADEA Biennale on Education in Africa (Libreville, Gabon, March 27-31, 2006)

1. Promoting a Favourable Policy Environment for ECD in Africa ADEA Biennale on Education in Africa (Libreville, Gabon, March 27-31, 2006) AGNES AKOSUA AIDOO, PhD CONSULTANT

2. Overview of Presentation • Children’s Rights, ECD & Human Development • Progress of the Young Child in Africa • Challenges of the Young Child: Impacts on Education • Africa’s Experience in ECD Policy Development • ECD Linkages with National Development Policies & Frameworks • Need for Priority ECD Policy • The Way Forward

3. Introduction • Children’s Rights as Human Rights are lifelongand start from Early Childhood • African culture and societies like children: they are placed at centre of the family and community. • Conducive political environment exists to realize children’s rights in keygovernment commitments National Constitutions, CRC, ACRWC, CEDAW, EFA, MDGs • ECD is foundation of sustainable human development, human capital formation, economic growth and social progress. • Time has come to accelerate the integrated policy process to make ECD a strategic focus in Africa’s development with necessary political support and resources.

4. AU Heads of States and Government declare: “We recognize that the future of Africa lies with the well being of its children and youth. The prospect of socio-economic transformation of the continent rests with investing in the young people of the continent. Today’s investment in children is tomorrow’s peace, stability, security, democracy and sustainable development” (“Africa Fit for Children: The African Common Position” (Lusaka, July 2001), para. 6) • Children and young people are 2/3 of Africa’s population: a valuable asset

5. Progress of the Young Child in Africa: • Significant progress since 1990s: √ Health  high immunization rates, IMCI, ACSD, TT, promotion of ITNs √ Nutrition  exclusive breast feeding, baby-friendly facilities, universal salt iodization √  water supply in communities and schools √ Education  EFA/FTI, AGEI, preschool programmes √ Protection  Children’s Rights Acts and Family Codes, Birth registration, Legal abolition of FGM, etc. √Significant institutional arrangements: Ministries of Women and Children, Family, Youth; National Commissions or Councils on Children

6. Challenges of the Young Child – Threats to human capital Despite the progress, most African children have a difficult start in life due to… . Poverty & Debt • Inadequate policy support and quality services • Gender inequality from childhood • HIV/AIDS • Conflicts • Harmful cultural practices

7. Challenges…  SSA falls behind all other regions in the world in key social indicators, E.g. • Highest under 5 child death rates: >150/1,000 live births • Increasing malnutrition: over 3 million newborns each year have low birth weight. • Access to early stimulation programmes, care facilities or non-fee paying preschools: not available for over 95% children. • 1/3 of children out-of-school: majority girls, many subjected to worst forms of child labour, child trafficking and sexual abuse. • Unacceptably high MMR: >1,000/100,000 live births • HIV/AIDS orphans and children with special needs.

8. Challenges … Sources: DHS Data 2000- 2004 * DHS EdDATA Education Profiles 1995-1999

9. Challenges – Impacts on Education • Poverty, malnutrition and lack of responsive care results in an estimated 20 – 30% of children not achieving their full potential i.e 200 million children < 5 years in developing world • For education: what happens before a child enters school has huge impact on his/her ability to perform well: • Malnutrition, especially stunting →reduced mental capacity & lower educational attainment • Lack of early stimulation → poor cognitive, language and social skills • 30-70% African children in primary school are either under-age or over-age → poor learning environment, high repetition & drop out rates, difficulty in educational planning and provision of infrastructure

10. Africa’s Experience in ECD Policy Development • Greater Understanding of ECD as: • an integrated approach focused on the right of all children to have the best start in life and develop to their full human potential: • promotes a holistic view of the child through coordinated activities in 5 priorities areas- Nutrition, Health, Water and Sanitation, Early stimulation/Education, and Protection • Stimulus for ECD policy development: 1998 7th Conference of Ministers of Education of African States (MINEDAF VII) & 2000 World Education Forum (Dakar), WGECD/ADEA Policy Project (2000-2000), ECDVU, African International ECD Conferences: Kampala 1999, Asmara 2002, Accra 2005. • Key development partners, e.g. UNICEF, UNESCO,WB & Bilateral partners: Increased support from 1990s to child rights programmes, health, nutrition, education in SSA: “Children must prosper before economies can grow”(Mary E. Young, Lead ECD Specialist). Results  6 national ECD policies completed, >8 in process.  ECD components strengthened in Health & Primary Ed.

11. ECD Linkages with National Development Policies & Frameworks • Current national development policies are based or strongly influenced by PRSPs, MDGs, SWAps, NEPAD: advantages incl. good poverty & sectoral analyses; priority to Health & Education; multi-donor funding Challenges - except MDGs, other frameworks have little or no holistic focus on the young child - the whole child and her/his family - no life cycle approach (0-8 yrs) - limited attention to women and gender issues - weak cross-sectoral linkages & inadequate coordination mechanisms

12. Economists support ECD investments Jacques van der Gaag – Renowned Dutch Economist “Well executed and well-targeted ECD programs are initiators of human development. They simulate improvements in education, health, social capital, and equality that have both immediate and long-term benefits for the children participating in the programs. Investments in ECD programs are in many ways investments in the future of a nation.”(2000) Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate and former WB Chief Economist, “Child poverty is more pervasive than general poverty and has pernicious long-term consequences that perpetuate the poverty cycle….. A willing world can end child poverty”(2005) Opportunity: 6 of 8 MDGs are related closely to children and have created a favourable opportunity to give priority to the young child in national development, PRSPs etc. based on human rights by 2015.

13. ECD Benefits to National Development • ECD policy: opportunity for Governments to give concrete expression to positive African cultural value on children • Benefits include: • children develop early learning skills and abilities to succeed in school and enhance their future productivity • children are spared the stress & trauma of repetition and drop out • parents, educational institutions and govts. save costs on reduced school repetition and drop out • social & gender equity can be successfully promoted from early years • national identity can be easily developed in children • time for parents, esp. women, to participate in decision making, productive & personal development activities • ECD policyhelps to commit human & financial resources for integrated quality services and ensures accountability for children (0-8 yrs)

14. Need For Priority ECD Policy Need for specific ECD Policy? NO • for countries with adequate and robust social policies, well defined children’s policies and integrated sectoral policies and strategies. • Need for Integrated Framework or Action Plan for co-ordination etc. E.g. South Africa - National Integrated Plan for ECD, 2005-2010 & National Guidelines on ECD for stakeholders at all levels down to communities. YES: • for countries with weak appreciation and low priority for ECD, weak inter-sectoral coordination on issues of children and women.

15. Challenges to Policy Development • Africa has high dependency on private & international donors to fund ECD (up to 80%). • Cost effectiveness, quality and equity issues in choice of ECD delivery systems e.g. community-based and/or institution-based • Poor or inadequate costing of multisectoral ECD policy & activities • Inadequate consultation and participation of all stakeholders, including Families, for consensus and ownership of ECD • Limited involvement of Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning in ECD planning. • Fitting ECD’s multisectoral, integrated approach into Government’s sectoral structure for Planning & Budgeting. • Universal coverage of ECD to address rights and needs of all children – focus on most disadvantaged children • Limited research – e.g. on children 0-3 years, changing family situations; indigenous child care practices.

16. Critical Elements for Successful ECD Policy Implementation • High level and most strategic structures with capacity to host and promote policy and coordination. • Action Plans and Guidelines with implementation strategies and time frames, clearly defined roles of partners and accountability system. • Funding strategy based on realistic costing of policy & component programmes; • Continuous advocacy, social mobilization and information, using inter alia indigenous knowledge and local languages; • Networking of stakeholders at national, regional and local levels; • Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for both policy and programmes.

17. The Way Forward 1. Governments to demonstrate political will, vision and courage to: • Develop or strengthen holistic, culturally relevant policies for ECD; enact and enforce necessary legislation & ensure adequate investments 2.Governments, Universities, Research Institutes, Statistical Services and Partners to conduct research on ECD: • fill gaps in knowledge and document successful community level experiences • collaborate on Monitoring & Evaluation of ECD policies and programmes; • use findings for policy advocacy. 3. Governments and partners to build and strengthen technical capacity for ECD policy and implementation: • Utilize in-country expertise in multisectoral policy planning and development (e.g. PRSPs, MDGs, SWAps); • Ensure adequate capacity in ECD focal ministry or institution for cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination

18. Way Forward … 4. Governments to build and sustain broad partnerships to accelerate ECD policy development and implementation: • Include and empower parents and communities to participate effectively; • Adopt appropriate strategies of multisectoral coordination to help pool resources and reduce costs. 5. Governments & ECD partners to ensure effective linkages of ECD with major national development policies, frameworks & strategies: • National development plans, PRSPs, MDGs, SWAps and NEPAD & other AU programmes; 6. Governments and development partners to ensure sufficient resources & investment in ECD: • national and local budgetary resources and investments in ECD. • Leverage resources from bilateral, multilateral & NGO funds. Earmark HIPC and debt relief funds for ECD.

19. Questions Arising • Can we build a house from the seventh floor up without laying a good foundation? • We all know the capacity & skills of 5/6 yr olds: Are African children sufficiently prepared for formal schooling? Are African schools adapted for them? • How can governments effectively use ECD policy & interventions for children (0-8) to: - remove implementation inefficiencies; and - improve access, quality&gender equity in primary/basic education?

20. Conclusion • “Every adult was once a child” • (African Proverb) • The difference in what we are today comes from the care, nurturing, early stimulation and learning, education and realization of other rights in the family, community and country with government support. Africa’s youngest and most vulnerable children cannot wait !

21. Obrigada ! Je vous remercie ! Asante sana Thank You !