The programme for the week was focused, intense and wide, giving the delegation an opportunity to be exposed to ECD ( early Childhood Education) and overview of ECD in our region.
Since the days of apartheid, ECD has not been structured and /or "controlled" by local or any specific institution in SA. It is part Welfare and part Education. As a result of need " hundred" of community initiatives were embarked upon by the community-- NGO established. TREE is one of those NGO's that focuses in training "carers" or those involved in ECD- providing training.
NGO, Like Child Welfare ( Child Protection organisation) and other umbrella NGO's provide support and development to ECD within their operational areas.
Grade R has been recently ( past few years) introduced to govt. schools and we have discovered that this is " work in progress" with restructuring within the Department of Education etc.
New legislation have been in place since April 2010 ( Children's Act 2005) that talks to Partial Care facility giving recognition to ECDs based in huts, community informal structures etc. while in urban areas, ECD is more structured and owned "privately", a rather complicated if one is not in this sector- even for a South African.
This is an excellent project for Twinning- bringing our community together and focusing on critical areas for development.
With Ake, Mats,Aka and Marlin, we also touched base with ECD and understood this area even further.
Like all Twinning initiative and projects with Sweden, we get to know our community a little more, bringing focus to much needed services. A highlight is bridging the gap between urban and rural, developing relationships for effective future co-operation , networking and collaboration.
