Republic of Zambia

1. Republic of Zambia Presentation at The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa Southern Africa Regional Conference on ECCDE ‘Quality Matters’ 3-5 December 2013

2. Government • Ministry of Education Science, Vocational Training & Early Education • Ministry of Health • Ministry of Community Development Mother & Child Health • Ministry of Local Government & Housing • Ministry of Gender & Child Development • Ministry of Home Affairs • Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock • Other government departments • Cooperating partners • i.e. UNICEF, USAID, DFID and others • International Organizations • i.e. Plan International, World Vision, Save the Children, Child Fund, OSISA, and others • Civil Society Organizations • i.e. ZANEC, Mulumbo ECCDE Foundation, Children Sentinel Trust Zambia, DAPP, and others • Faith Based Organizations • Private • i.e. Private Universities, Zambia Pre-school Association, Early Childhood Teacher Training Association of Zambia, and others Key Players in ECCDE

3. Progress in ECCDE

4. 1960’sMinimal focus in ECD Independence No specific ECCDE policies Landmark Change: Welfare centre’s managed by local authorities

5. 1970’sEducation reforms/health policy Government involvement in ECCDE Continuing health promotion through growth monitoring, immunization and nutrition Landmark Change: Education reforms – Focus on Learning policy document, immunization and nutrition services

6. 1980’sFormal training of ECCDE teachers Government financing ECCDE training Introduction of ECCDE training in govt. teacher training colleges Landmark Change: ECCDE teacher training, social protection programs and financing

7. 1990’sInclusion of ECCDE in policy Teacher training and development of materials Provision of ECCDE centres by stakeholders/ Private sector Landmark Change: National Education Policy incorporates issues of ECCDE

8. 2000’sCollaboration & Coordination in ECCDE activities Quality assurance in ECCDE services Increased policies with ECCDE components across Ministries Landmark Change: Development of child assessment tools & Early Learning Development Standards

9. 2010 – PresentIntegration of ECCDE ECCDE incorporated into various pieces of legislation Development of national ECCDE curriculum frameworks, instructional materials & teacher training at university level Landmark Change: Government to finance/provide pre-school education

10. Limited mechanism for coordination and collaboration among ECCDE providers and stakeholders • Limited financial resources & high poverty levels • Poor mechanisms for early identification and intervention for children with special needs • Delay in policy development processes • Limited capacity among administrators to implement ECCDE programs Challenges

11. Annexing ECCDE/pre-school education in primary school • Strengthen integrated ECCDE service provision • Increased financing of ECCDE programmes • Enhancement of social protection legislation and programmes • Enhanced policy implementation towards social cash transfer schemes for vulnerable families Recommendations

12. Thank you!