​Thembisa Shologu​
The Gauteng Provincial Government has signed a gazette to proclaim migration of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Education.
This function shift and to transfer powers and functions to relevant MEC's will be effective from April 2022.
"The main reason for the transfer is to improve the development of children and the quality of early childhood education," said Premier David Makhura on Wednesday.
The process of ECD migration was first announced in 2019 State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Since then, the two departments have worked tirelessly towards the realisation of the change in responsibilities with no interruption in ECD services.
Premier Makhura said the shift was not to deny the important work that the Department of Social Development has done in the sector with its various stakeholders.
"However, it is important that while the Department of Social Development responds to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised in our communities, and while children tend to fall into that category that the foundation phase of their development in so far as their education is concerned, is prioritised."
Based on evaluations of well-conceived programs, the first few years of a child are essential in so far as character development is concerned.
It has been demonstrated that children who participate in ECD programs tend to be more successful in school, are more competent socially and emotionally, show better verbal, intellectual and physical development during early childhood than those not enrolled in high-quality programs.
Other benefits include higher intelligence scores, less grade repetition and lower dropout rates, improved parent and child relationships, and economic self–sufficiency in the future.