Ntsoaki Motaung
The foundation of education being Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) is more important to prepare a child for the primary education.
This was said by the Coordinator for Network of Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL) Shoeshoe Mofokeng, at Matlapaneng Primary School in Mafeteng during commemoration of the Global Action Week for Education this week.
Mofokeng indicated that it would seem that education has of late not been receiving as much seriousness of attention as it deserves hence it is also significant to celebrate Education week.
“This year’s theme is an urgent and strong call on States, world leaders and the international community to ‘Protect Education in Emergencies Now.’ The main focus area for NECDOL is on ECCD and Reception classes within schools,†she said.
She indicated that, through the project called Schools Readiness Initiative by the Ministry of Education they are able to prepare kids from ages of 3 to 5 years for primary school.
According to Mofokeng, NECDOL recognizes the devastation brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the larger emergency situation that continues to affect many lives, bringing forth the need to protect education under the circumstances.
Meanwhile, speaking on the behalf of Parents of Matlapaneng ECCD pupils, ‘Matsekiso Sekolisa said they appreciate the efforts of teachers who always ensure that there is Parental engagement.
She indicated that, working together with teachers they have managed for the better, to transform the natural playground of their school into a place where children can play nicely.
While reception class teacher Mabela Nkhasi explained that, school playgrounds for both ECCD and Reception pupils have to be a place where children can be monitored on growth physically, emotionally and mentally. “The pupils are not assessed by writing exams but by looking and monitoring their growth until they are ready to transit to Primary Education,†she said.
For her part, NECDOL Chairman of the Board ‘Manaleli Sebatane, indicated that the Network’s vision is that, by 2030, every child in Lesotho from 0 to 5 years old should have equitable access to well-coordinated quality integrated early childhood services.
“The network will ensure coordination of partners, stakeholders, programs and initiatives aimed at holistic development of children from 0 to 5 years old at national level through research, informed advocacy, resource mobilization, capacity building, partnerships, innovation, monitoring and evaluation of Early Childhood Development services and programs to improve the well-being of children in their early years of life,†she said.
