‘Early childhood education on course in Mchinji district’

Mchinji district early childhood development (ECD) coordinator Jane Majawa says early childhood education is improving.

She commended various stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the sector.

Majawa said: “My office faces financial challenges as we rely on government funding. For the 2019/20 ECD activities, about K3 million was allocated to us. So we cannot do most of the activities that we lined up for this year as the money is not adequate.

“We, therefore, commend stakeholders such as World Vision Malawi and ActionAid for their contributions. The two have trained caregivers and constructed ECD structures.”

Majawa said the district is trying to reach many parts with the help of their partners.

So far, Action Aid, working in Traditional Authority Dambe, has constructed a number of community-based childcare centres (CBCCs) and trained caregivers and centre management committees.

Likewise, World Vision Malawi (WVM) working in Traditional Authority Mavwere has constructed 16 CBCCs and trained 240 caregivers with financial support from South Korea and Taiwan.

WVM Mchinji district programme manager Mabvuto Kholowa said their aim was to improve appropriate literacy among children.

“As WVM, we want children to be ready for formal education in primary school at a tender age by improving caregivers’ skills, enhancing CBCC management committees’ capacity and engaging parents to support their children towards participating in ECD education,” he said.

Besides the two NGOs, World Bank has also joined hands with the district to improve ECD quality and access.

Through their initiative, World Bank will construct CBCCs, train caregivers and institute community management committees.