Uganda targets two million children for early childhood education by 2030

The Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Museveni, has said that at least two million children in Uganda will be access early childhood care and education by 2030.

In a statement read by the State Minister for Primary Education, Dr Joyce Kaducu, during the launch of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy 2025 at Nakivubo Blue Primary School in Kampala on April 30, Ms Museveni said through the National Development Plan and the Ministry of Education Strategic Plan, the government has committed to expand ECCE coverage to at least 50 per cent of eligible children with dedicated investment lines for expanding access.

"The government of Uganda outlines eight strategies in that policy to implement with the goal of reaching over two million children by 2030. The first goal is strengthening leadership coordination between ministry and government agencies (departments and directors). The second strategy is expanding access to service, especially those communities which are underserved in the rural areas," the Minister said.

Citing science, the First Lady said what happens during the early years shapes the future of an individual child.

“But it also shapes the future of an adult. Investing in early childhood care and education is investing in better learning outcomes, investing in healthier communities," she said.

Ms Ms Jane Frances Atima, the Acting Director of the Directorate of Education Standards (DES) at the Ministry of Education and Sports disclosed that the government will invest over Shs19 billion towards the initiative.

According to her, the funds in question will go towards training pre- primary teachers, quality assurance, regulation, health and nutrition among others.

" I heard some of you saying that government has not done much when it comes to ECCE. I would like to inform you that the Education Strategic Plan provides that Shs 19.74 billion will be directed to ECCE interventions over a period of five years," Ms Atima told stakeholders who attended the national launch of ECCE policy.

According to her, the daycare centres will not be allowed to share premises with other institutions, given that the policy is now in existence.

"There was a lacuna because of lack of policy. People could start daycare centres and when children grow up. They are tempted to start nursery schools because they lacked information. Now that the policy is out, they must follow the basic requirements and minimum standards that clearly state that a pre- primary school should be separate from a primary school because the environment for the age groups is supposed to be different," she said.

According to Ms Kaducu the daycare centres should cater for children aged zero to three years and should be located in a place that allows the mothers to offer services as the babies are being looked after comfortably in a coordinated manner while kindergartens takes care of children aged three to five years.

She said the Ministry of Gender and Social Development, takes sole responsibility of the daycare centres, provides a clear roadmap and directive while kindergartens or nursery schools are managed by the Ministry of Education and Sports.