SITE VISIT - Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and ...
SITE VISIT - Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and ...
SITE VISIT - Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and ...
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years, <strong>and</strong> they have targeted isolated <strong>and</strong> marginalised communities in an attempt to redress the<br />
gaps <strong>and</strong> inequalities of the state educati<strong>on</strong> system.<br />
They have identified needs; developed a variety of curriculum models based <strong>on</strong> local needs <strong>and</strong><br />
resources; developed materials; provided training <strong>and</strong> support for operators of ECD programs<br />
<strong>and</strong> the communities in which they are located; <strong>and</strong> designed a system of accreditati<strong>on</strong> for both<br />
ECD staff <strong>and</strong> facilities. This provides a substantial base from which ECD can be developed in<br />
the future.<br />
All around the country NGOs are forming networks <strong>and</strong> associati<strong>on</strong>s to facilitate training, profit<br />
from bulk-buying schemes, reduce duplicati<strong>on</strong> of services, <strong>and</strong> share ideas <strong>and</strong> materials. In<br />
March 1994 a nati<strong>on</strong>al ECD organisati<strong>on</strong>, the South African C<strong>on</strong>gress for <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Childhood</strong><br />
Development, was established to influence policies to be implemented by the new democratic<br />
government.<br />
In the past there was little collaborati<strong>on</strong> between ECD NGOs <strong>and</strong> government, but this is<br />
changing now that the country has a democratic dispensati<strong>on</strong>. The Centre for Educati<strong>on</strong> Policy<br />
Development argues that it is time to establish a partnership between NGOs, government, the<br />
private sector <strong>and</strong> communities to develop a support system for the health, nutriti<strong>on</strong>, care <strong>and</strong><br />
educati<strong>on</strong> of young children.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Educare Forum<br />
In 1991 the Independent Development Trust gave a <strong>on</strong>e-off three-year grant of R70 milli<strong>on</strong> for<br />
ECD. The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Educare Forum (NEF) was established as a result of this grant, its aim being<br />
to help community-based ECD projects to become financially self-sustaining. By July 1993 some<br />
1 203 projects serving 60 987 children (in most cases "the poorest of the poor") were receiving<br />
assistance from the NEF.<br />
Other ECD funders<br />
The corporate sector c<strong>on</strong>tributed R35 milli<strong>on</strong> to ECD in 1990, or 6% of its total c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>. Other funders include foundati<strong>on</strong>s, trade uni<strong>on</strong>s, internati<strong>on</strong>al d<strong>on</strong>or agencies <strong>and</strong><br />
foreign governments (which allocated 2% of their total support of educati<strong>on</strong>, i.e. R11.6 milli<strong>on</strong>,<br />
to ECD in 1992).<br />
V. LESSONS AND EXAMPLES OF VISUAL EDUCATIONAL MEDIA<br />
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES<br />
We begin Secti<strong>on</strong> V by reviewing experience in educati<strong>on</strong>al media for young children <strong>and</strong> their<br />
adult caregivers from around the world. Most programs listed below show the relatively<br />
decreased effects of educati<strong>on</strong>al media when the programs are <strong>on</strong>ly targeted at children. When<br />
an adult learner is also targeted <strong>and</strong> has a well-defined role in the educati<strong>on</strong>al experience, the<br />
total effect <strong>on</strong> child development practice increases. The experiences with interactive radio in<br />
Bolivia showed how this worked <strong>and</strong> is now about to be tested in South Africa (further<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> this is in the next secti<strong>on</strong>).<br />
Research c<strong>on</strong>ducted in the U.S. <strong>on</strong> the effects of educati<strong>on</strong>al televisi<strong>on</strong> is inc<strong>on</strong>clusive. On the<br />
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