PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ECD PROGRAMME PRESENTATION TO

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ECD PROGRAMME PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION BY MR HM MWELI ON 19 AUGUST 2014

OVERVIEW • Access • Improving quality and efficiency • The South African Integrated Programme of Action for Early Childhood Development- Moving Ahead (2014 -2017) – Overview – Departmental responsibilities – DBE responsibility • Draft ECD Policy and Comprehensive Programmes – DBE responsibility • Next steps

ACCESS 3

PROGRESS IN PRE-GRADE R (ECD) Percentage of 0 -4 year old children attending education institutions by Province, 20022013 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 EC 9. 3 14. 2 12. 5 17. 5 18. 8 18. 6 20. 3 29. 5 32. 6 32. 9 37. 8 37. 1 FS 6. 8 11. 3 11. 8 20. 4 20. 2 21. 2 18. 0 36. 8 33. 4 38. 2 46. 7 58. 2 GP 11. 9 18. 8 18. 3 21. 7 28. 4 24. 0 25. 4 43. 5 42. 6 43. 6 45. 7 56. 4 KZN 4. 9 8. 1 7. 3 7. 2 7. 9 10. 4 11. 7 23. 7 25. 1 24. 9 27. 9 37. 9 LP 5. 3 10. 1 11. 8 13. 4 17. 6 15. 5 14. 5 27. 9 29. 6 42. 1 37. 3 45. 6 MP 5. 2 8. 4 13. 1 11. 3 13. 5 12. 4 16. 2 28. 1 28. 5 31. 0 28. 8 32. 7 NW 6. 7 11. 1 8. 9 11. 8 8. 3 15. 6 8. 0 21. 8 26. 7 29. 0 32. 9 34. 2 NC 3. 4 5. 1 4. 1 9. 0 8. 6 14. 2 10. 6 19. 3 21. 1 26. 9 25. 6 36. 0 WC 10. 3 14. 1 14. 3 19. 1 16. 0 14. 1 14. 4 27. 6 39. 4 36. 2 39. 6 44. 8 7. 5 12. 1 12. 0 14. 8 16. 6 16. 5 16. 7 29. 8 32. 3 34. 5 36. 5 43. 3 Total 2012 2013 Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002 -2012, DBE own calculations

ENROLMENT IN GRADE R FROM 1997 TO 2013 Source: DBE, SNAP Survey, 1997 -2013 5

ATTENDANCE IN EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AMONG 5 YEAR OLDS: 2002 -2013 100 90 78. 3 80 Percentage 70 63. 2 59. 3 61. 6 60. 2 60 50 40 83. 4 84. 8 84. 6 85. 3 48. 1 51. 9 39. 3 30 20 10 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002 -2013, DBE own calculations

PROPORTION OF 5, 6 AND 7 YEAR-OLDS ENROLLED IN AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 2002 -2013 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2002 5 years 39% 6 years 70% 7 years 92% 2003 49% 75% 93% 2004 53% 83% 97% 2005 57% 85% 95% 2006 57% 84% 96% 2007 59% 86% 97% 2008 64% 88% 96% 2009 78% 94% 98% 2010 82% 96% 98% 2011 86% 99% 2012 85% 96% 98% Source: Statistics South Africa, General Household Survey, 2002 -2013, DBE own calculations 2013 85% 99%

IMPROVING QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY

FOCUS AREA: BIRTH TO FOUR OUTCOME Children will be ready to access formal schooling by laying a solid foundation TARGET DEADLINE Implementation of the National Curriculum Framework for children birth to four years of age (NCF) in registered ECD centres 18, 000 registered ECD centres are implementing the NCF January 2015 Train all un- and underqualified ECD practitioners to obtain qualifications at NQF level 4 13, 500 un- and under. March 2015 qualified practitioners have at least a level 4 qualification (NCF) Strengthen collaboration and cooperation with all relevant government departments and other stakeholders Effective training and curriculum sub-committee of the National Inter. Departmental Committee for ECD DELIVERABLES October 2014

FOCUS AREA: GRADE R OUTCOME DELIVERABLES Improve conditions of service for all ECD practitioners TARGET DEADLINE 5, 000 ECD practitioners at March 2015 level 6 qualification Absorption of all suitably qualified Grade Children will be ready to R practitioners and access formal schooling afford them the requisite benefits by laying a solid 20% of Grade R practitioners who are qualified are absorbed in fully funded posts December 2015 Amendment of education legislation to make compulsory education begin at 5 years, which provides two years of education before Grade 1 800, 000 Grade R learner will access formal education January 2015 foundation

THE SOUTH AFRICAN INTEGRATED PROGRAMME OF ACTION – MOVING AHEAD 2014 - 2017

OVERVIEW OF POA • Approved by Cabinet on 18 September 2013 – Costing to be concluded with National Treasury • The plan aims to : – – Develop legislation and policy framework for ECD; Strengthen institutional arrangements, coordination and integration; Develop human resources, training and capacity building in the sector; Expand strengthen comprehensive ECD programmes and services;

OVERVIEW OF POA…(2) – Develop an integrated infrastructure policy for ECD; – Develop funding models and partnerships for the sector; – Develop an integrated monitoring and evaluation framework; and – Develop and implement a communication and awareness strategy.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES Item Lead Department Role of DBE Progress Legislation DSD Participate in the finalisation of legislation and policies Draft policy has been developed and Provincial consultations are taking place from April- August for finalisation. Institutional arrangement DSD Participate in the development of an integrated governance structure for ECD Training and Curriculum subcommittee was launched in April 2014 Human resources DBE/DHET Comprehensive ECD programme DSD Lead (see details) Participate in the finalisation Develop a curriculum of the comprehensive package for the sector of ECD services.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES…(2) Item Lead Department Role of DBE Progress Infrastructure DSD Participate in the audit conducted. Audit report is finalised and awaiting approval. Funding models and DSD Partnerships Participate in the finalisation of a funding plan for the sector. Monitoring and Evaluation Participate in the development of an Awaiting the integrated Monitoring and finalisation of the Evaluation framework for draft policy. ECD DSD Communication and GCIS Advocacy Participate in communicating key messages to the public on importance of ECD

DBE RESPONSIBILITIES

DBE RESPONSIBILITIES Item Activities Human Resource Develop the human resource development Development plan for the ECD sector in collaboration with DHET and the ETDP SETA Progress A draft overview has been developed. Improve the quality of ECD services through provisioning of skills and career path for people working with children birth to four years 13, 000 ECD practitioners will be trained towards an ECD National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 in the financial year 2014/15 Participate in the review of the Level 4 qualification for ECD on the National Qualification Framework to address the training gaps of ECD practitioners. ETDP SETA in consultation with DBE and other stake-holders are reviewing the current qualification to address the gaps. Develop an integrated professional registration system for ECD practitioners Negotiations have begun with the HCBC and SACE.

DBE RESPONSIBILITIES… (2) Item Activities Progress Develop a training programme for Once the policy is finalised by the ECD sector on the finalised ECD DSD, a training programme will be policy developed for the range of stakeholders. Communication and Advocacy • Organise events to advocate the The Department in collaboration importance of ECD. with SANLAM, SABC, Kwasukela (KWK), are currently conducting Takalani Sesame road shows. • Participate in the training of Kha A programme has been finalised Ri Gude volunteers on how to for insertion in the training of KRG stimulate young children volunteers on how to stimulate young children.

ECD POLICY AND PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES Priority area Key milestones Support for pregnant women and children under two years of age By 2024: • 30% of pregnant women visited twice at home during pregnancy • 20% of all infants receive bi-monthly visits at home till 9 months Development of a comprehensive food and nutrition strategy for children under five years By 2016, a national multi-sectoral comprehensive food and nutrition strategy for children younger than 5 years is developed By 2022, Stunting is reduced to between 5% and 10% By 2030, no young child is: stunted, wasted, severely underweight … is hungry or receives inadequate food and nutrition

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES…(2) Priority area Key milestones Provision of universal developmentally appropriate early learning opportunities for young children from birth By 2022: Between 30% and 75% of children participate in a structured pre-Grade R programme By 2030: every child enters Grade R ready to learn Inclusion and support for children with disabilities within all ECD programmes By 2016, a national multi-sectoral ECD Disability policy By 2030, all children with developmental delays and/or disabilities have an opportunity to access a comprehensive age-appropriate package of inclusive ECD services

PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES…(3) Priority area Key milestones Public communication about the value of ECD and ways of improving children’s resourcefulness By 2016: A national multi-sectoral ECD communication strategy is developed, adequately resourced and implemented. By 2030: Expanded opportunities for all children to develop their language, imagination, etc Growing nationwide understanding of the significance of ECD for health, education, etc.

ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS BEFORE GRADE 1

ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS • Medium Term Strategic Framework: 2014 -2019 – Planning for the introduction of a Pre-Grade R year to be led by the Department of Social Development. • Targets: – By 2019: All learners in Grade 1 have had access to a formal Grade R programme (DBE); and – Plan for the introduction of a Pre-Grade R year is approved (DSD)

NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS • Workshops in Western Cape (19/08) and Gauteng (25/08) will finalise the provincial consultations on the draft ECD Policy and Programmes • By end of September a detailed report on the process will be prepared for submission to the Social Cluster for approval • After approval a detailed, costed implementation plan with clear roles and responsibilities for the key departments will be developed.

THANK YOU