Early Childhood Development Practitioners – important for the future of our society and yet overlooked
We recently celebrated World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the anniversary of the recommendation made in 1966 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), which sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, from employment and recruitment to teaching and learning conditions.
Over the years, we have learned that teachers play a critical role in shaping a child’s future, by providing them with a solid educational foundation and the encouragement they need to attain their future goals. While we continue to celebrate our heroes and heroines, we acknowledge that early learning plays a critical role in a child’s development, as it deeply affects their future physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Apart from the learning experience that children receive from their primary caregivers/parents, Early childhood development (ECD) facilities are a foundation phase for a child’s development. According to a 2020 survey, South Africa’s access to early learning centers has continued to increase over the years.
