Participation in quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) is proven to establish strong foundations for learning and success in school and beyond, especially for the most vulnerable. Delivering quality ECE at scale requires the recognition of ECE as a comprehensive subsector that is integral to the education system.
To drive the important agenda of ECE in Fiji, the Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts has set up a special Early Childhood Education (ECE) Technical Working Group (TWG). The objective of the ECE TWG is to advance and transform ECE in Fiji by providing technical support to the development and implementation of ECE programme including integrating ECE within the education sector planning processes.
UNICEF is a core partner in this group and will also co-chair the meetings and activities of this group with the Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage & Arts, Dr. Anjeela Jokhan as the Chair.
Dr. Jokhan said that the aim of the ECE TWG was to provide a platform where stakeholders can share information and discuss issues to create an enabling environment for ECE subsector that includes strong national policies, dedicated budgets, ministerial leadership, and public demand for quality early education programmes.
Within the sub-sector, five core functions need to be developed and nurtured specifically for ECE, namely: 1) equitable planning and resource allocation 2) curriculum implementation 3) workforce development 4) family and community engagement and 5) quality assurance. Evidence based decision making to ensure equitable access and participation, especially for young children with a disability or in vulnerable circumstances, to quality programmes should underpin each of these.
The ECE TWG had its first meeting on 11 November at Level 9 Suvavou House to align the vision across key stakeholders in ECE to initiate in-depth review, diagnostic analysis and planning in the context of development of the national ECE Policy and costed action plan. The Ministry recognises the importance of strengthening the ECE subsector for ensuring positive early learning experience for all children and facilitating parental engagement at this early stage in a child’s life as they transition from pre-primary to formal education.
PS Education thanked UNICEF for coming on board and supporting the Ministry to lead the ECE agenda as the Ministry is determined to strengthen pre-primary education for five-year-old’s before they enter Year One for primary education.
ECE TWG has members from ECE teacher associations, teacher training associations, local ECE experts, Fiji Head Teachers Association and Special & Inclusive Education sector and other development partners.