R4.7 m boost for kids’ education
THERE is no greater investment in education than investment in early childhood development (ECD), Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says.
Motshekga spoke of the value of ECD as the world marked International Children’s Day yesterday and the investment service, the Oasis Group, handed over a R4.7 million cheque to the Centre for Early Childhood Development.
The funds will go to the advancement of teacher and caregiver skills, and the upgrading of facilities around the Cape Flats.
Motshekga said ultimately the department intended to amend legislation to make Grade R compulsory by 2019.
“There is no greater investment in education than investment in ECD. When you have to plant, soil preparation is more important than anything else. ECD is all about that. ECD is where it all starts.
“We are laying a solid foundation in the lives of young children, and therefore for the prosperity of our country,” she said.
“We need to work together across all sectors to promote and advance ECD. The reality is that we are unable to achieve all this alone as government, hence the need for partnerships and private sector investment in early childhood education.”
Centre chief executive Professor Eric Atmore said: “It makes a huge difference when children are exposed to early formative learning as it allows them to adjust and become far more receptive to knowledge transfer when they enter the formal school system.”
Oasis chief executive and founder Adam Ebrahim said the lag faced in education today was not because of poor education, but because individuals had forgotten that it was also their responsibility to create sufficient opportunities to allow children to access education.
President Jacob Zuma led the national celebrations at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Gauteng to officially open a media centre at the Kingdom Life Children’s Centre and interact with the community at the stadium.
Mayor Patricia de Lille yesterday also kicked off Youth Month at the inaugural #YouthStartCT awards, a competition which aims to contribute to business skills development, innovation and the growth of young entrepreneurs in Cape Town.