Minister decries poor education standards in ECD

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has expressed concern over poor education standards in early childhood development (ECD) programmes.

After touring several ECD centres during the launch of ECD awareness week in Rumphi on Monday, Kaliati said education levels in the centres left a lot to be desired.

She said: “Learners are failing to speak English and most of them are shy. This is contrary to what ECD wants to achieve where children are clever and able to speak English. If this is the trend everywhere, then we are not developing courageous children, especially girls who can stand up against abuse they face in society.”

Kaliati said the challenges she noticed exposed the need for an initiative or policy to guide on the recruitment of caregivers or delivery of quality ECD education.

“Even if it means bringing on board retired teachers then we better do so as long as we improve on the education standards,” said the minister.

During the awareness week launch in Rumphi, where she also officially opened Chikwawa CBCC, Kaliati presented cheques for the upgrading projects worth K31 million ($52,804.5) for the Northern Region’s 15 constituencies. n