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The ECD & Basic Education Confernce 2025

ECD is a priority in both South Africa and across Africa, with significant strides being made in policy, programs, and community involvement. However, challenges such as inequality, funding, and capacity building continue to impact the effectiveness of these efforts. Ongoing initiatives and partnerships are crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive from an early age.

ECD in South Africa

1. Policy Framework and Legislation

National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (NIECD): This policy outlines a holistic approach to ECD, emphasizing the need for integrated services that address health, nutrition, education, and social protection.
Early Childhood Development Act (ECD Act): This Act provides the legal framework for ECD services, including standards for ECD centers and the training of ECD practitioners.

2. Current Initiatives

National School Nutrition Programme: Aimed at improving nutrition for young children in ECD centers, this program ensures that children receive at least one nutritious meal per day.
Preschool Education: Efforts are being made to improve access to quality preschool education through public and private partnerships. The government has increased investment in public ECD centers and aims to expand access to early education.
Integrated ECD Services: There are ongoing efforts to integrate health, nutrition, and education services to provide a comprehensive support system for young children.

3. Challenges

Inequality: There is a significant disparity in the quality of ECD services between urban and rural areas, as well as between public and private facilities. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack access to quality early education and developmental services.
Funding and Resources: Many ECD centers face challenges related to inadequate funding, lack of resources, and insufficient training for caregivers and educators.
Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure in some ECD centers affects the quality of services and the

4. Community and NGO Involvement:

Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations are working to fill gaps in ECD services, providing support in areas such as nutrition, early education, and caregiver training.

ECD on the African Continent

1. Regional Frameworks:

African Union’s Agenda 2063: This strategic framework emphasises the importance of ECD as a pillar for human development and economic growth across the continent.
The African Early Childhood Network (AfECN): This network works to promote ECD policies, share best practices, and advocate for increased investment in early childhood development.

2. Current Initiatives:

Regional ECD Programs: Various countries have implemented region-specific programs focusing on early childhood education, nutrition, and health. For example, countries like Kenya and Ghana have made significant strides in improving ECD access and quality.
International Partnerships: Organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the World Bank are actively involved in supporting ECD initiatives across Africa, providing funding, research, and technical assistance.

3. Challenges:

Access and Equity: Similar to South Africa, many African countries face challenges related to unequal access to quality ECD services, especially in rural and impoverished areas.
Funding and Investment: There is often insufficient public and private investment in ECD programs, leading to gaps in service delivery and quality.
Training and Capacity Building: There is a need for more comprehensive training programs for ECD practitioners to ensure high-quality care and education.

4. Innovative Approaches:

Community-Based Programs: Many countries are seeing success with community-based ECD programs that leverage local knowledge and resources to improve early childhood services.
Technology and ECD: The use of technology to support ECD is growing, with some countries exploring digital tools to enhance learning and provide training for educators.

Who Should Attend?

Principals/Headmasters/Headmistresses
Head of Departments
Instructional technologists
Educators/Teachers/Sub-Teachers
Virtual Education Specialists
Course designers
ECD Directors
ECD Centres Principals/Teachers
Grade R Coordinators
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4-6)
Primary School Education Teachers/HOD/Principals
Primary School Education: Foundation Phase(Grades R-3)
Department of Basic Education
Basic Education Researchers
HR Managers
Education Administrators

Blended Education Specialists
Government Education Personnel
International Education Development Cooperation
Learning Support
ICT Programme Directors
E-Learning Specialists
M-Learning Specialists
Learning and Development Managers
Curriculum Designers
Education Policy Makers
Teachers & Instructors
Technology and Service Providers
e-Learning Software Providers
Consultants
Health Professionals

Vertical Companies/Organisations
Parents/Guardians
Journalists/Writers/Authors
Network Providers
Coding & Robotics Professionals
School District Administrators
School Governing Bodies
Foundations
Oversight and Monitoring Officials
Banks
Insurance
Corporates
NGO’s
Trust Funds
Social Workers
Advocacy

Agenda

Theme 1: Early Childhood Development (ECD) Landscape and Legislation

ECD Bill – Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA)

Topic: In-depth discussion on the BELA and its implications for early childhood education.

Implications and Impact of 2024 SONA; Updated Status Report on ECD Migration

Topic: Analysis of the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and its impact on ECD policies and migration.

The Alarming State of Early Childhood Development in South Africa

Topic: Current challenges and concerns regarding ECD in South Africa.

Rights-Based Approaches in Adolescent Development

Topic: Exploring rights-based frameworks and their effectiveness in adolescent development.

Strengthening the Institutional Arrangements for ECD Service Delivery

Topic: Approaches and strategies to improve institutional arrangements and service delivery for ECD.

Theme 2: Quality and Innovation in Education

The Quality of Early Grade Teaching and Learning

Topic: Evaluating and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the early grades.

Reading for Meaning

Topic: Strategies and methods for improving reading comprehension among young learners.

The Importance of Access to Quality Early Learning – What the Research Tells Us

Topic: Overview of research findings on the importance and impact of quality early learning.

South Africa: Unlocking Brighter Futures through Investment and Institutional Strengthening in Early Childhood Development

Topic: The role of investment and institutional strengthening in enhancing ECD outcomes.

The ECDMobi App – Providing Parents and Caregivers with Building Blocks for Their Child’s Future through Play

Topic: Introduction and impact of the ECDMobi App in supporting child development through play.

Expanded Access to ECD and Improvement of the Quality of Grade R, with Support for Pre-Grade R Provision

Topic: Strategies for increasing access to ECD and enhancing the quality of Grade R and pre-Grade R education.

Theme 3: Technology, Safety, and Modernisation

Innovation in the Curriculum – Pre-School Education

Topic: Innovative approaches and curriculum development in pre-school education.

Coding and Robotics Curricula

Topic: The integration of coding and robotics into early education curricula.

ICT Devices and Digitisation of Learning Material

Topic: The role of ICT devices and digitisation in modernising early childhood education.

Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE)

Topic: Ensuring safe and appropriate sanitation facilities in educational settings.

School Safety and Teachers’ Safety and Security in South African Schools

Topic: Addressing issues of safety and security for teachers and students in South African schools.

Shaping the Future of Learning: The Role of AI in Education 4.0

Topic: How artificial intelligence is transforming education and shaping future learning environments.

Additional Sessions and Workshops:

The ECD Baseline Assessment

- Workshop: Understanding baseline data for effective ECD interventions.

Basic Education Budget Vote Speech: A New Era for Early Childhood Development or is it?

- Topic: Analysis of the recent budget vote and its implications for ECD.

Understanding the Risk of Violence in Your School

- - Topic: Identifying and mitigating risks of violence in educational settings.

Basic Education and Vodacom Foundation's Programme Against Bullying

- - Topic: Initiatives and strategies to combat bullying in schools.

Time and Measurement Systems to Improve Shocking Reading Levels

- Topic: Innovative approaches to measuring and improving reading proficiency.

Experts Laud South Africa's Adoption of a Competency Framework to Revolutionise Education

- Topic: The impact of competency frameworks and modernisation on South African education.