Children’s development in the spotlight
IN an attempt to close the gap between urban and rural children, KZN MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza recently handed over a mobile Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre in Manaba under uMhlabuyalingana.
Speaking at the unveiling,
Khoza said it was imperative for parents to show an interest in their children's development, to improve relationships with them and ensure their development at an early age.
She said government had resolved that every child in the province must be allowed to attend ECD centres.
‘The ECD centres are safe for our children,' she said.
‘We have a mandate to ensure the safety of children, but we cannot do that alone, hence we call on all parents to take a keen interest in their children's well being,’ she said.
Khoza was accompanied by uMkhayakude district mayor, Cllr Tim Moodley and uMhlabuyalingana municipal speaker, Cllr Busisiwe Tembe.
She said over 137 children will benefit from the state of the art mobile ECD centre, which is fitted with educational materials, toys, a kitchen and a bathroom.
‘Children will also be provided with nutritious food to help mitigate under-nourishment and stunting so they can go through all developmental stages accordingly,’ she said.
Khoza further explained that parents would be expected to drop their children at the facility twice a week, so they are prepared for the next phase of their lives.
‘The department intends rolling out these ECD centres, particularly in rural areas and in farming communities.
‘We want to ensure cognitive stimulation of children in their first 1 000 days, which means ECD centres are important facilities for the community.
‘In some areas, we have been able to build these centres with our stakeholders, but in other areas, they are too far away.
‘We don't want children to travel long distances, hence the introduction of mobile ECD centres which ensures no child will be left behind, even in rural areas.
‘Our government wants to have a footprint everywhere when it comes to bringing such services to the children,’ she added.
Khoza said ECD centres help with the stimulation of children's minds, and their physical development, ensuring their readiness to start school.
She said teachers don't often encounter challenges with children who have gone through ECD centres, and that parents must play their role in the development of their children.
‘The department has spent over R1.1-million on procurement of the mobile ECD and employment of staff.
'All those who will be working with children at the mobile centre will be screened to ensure they do not have a criminal record.
‘We cannot afford to have people with criminal records, looking after children.
‘We have a team of social workers to work at the ECD centre, and they are expected to conduct home visits.
‘We expect the social workers to understand the home circumstances of the children so whatever challenges they are faced with could be dealt with holistically,’ she said.
uMhlabuyalingana municipal speaker, Cllr Busisiwe Tembe applauded Khoza and the department for bringing such a facility to the area.
‘We are grateful that our government remains committed to changing the lives of the people. We are going to ensure this ECD centre continues to operate.
'It is in the interest of parents to ensure this resource is properly looked after, for the sake of their children,’ she said.