How Policy Affects Early Childhood Care and Development.
How Policy Affects Early Childhood Care and Development.
How Policy Affects Early Childhood Care and Development.
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It is recommended that:<br />
as an interim measure, a National <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Childhood</strong> <strong>Development</strong> Council be created within the Prime<br />
Minister's Department for the purpose of formulating, conceptualizing <strong>and</strong> overseeing ECD programmes<br />
in the various sectors (government, non-governmental <strong>and</strong> private). The Council should be supported by<br />
a strong Secretariat with technical skills related to ECD. In the long term the Council should be<br />
institutionalised within a major Ministry.<br />
The draft policy that resulted from the study reads:<br />
A National ECD <strong>Policy</strong><br />
It is known that:<br />
the foundation for children's growth <strong>and</strong> development is established within the first few years of life <strong>and</strong><br />
that learning begins at birth;<br />
Further, it has been demonstrated that:<br />
–conducive <strong>and</strong> stimulating environments that enhance young children's physical, mental, social,<br />
emotional <strong>and</strong> spiritual development lead to holistic <strong>and</strong> balanced individuals; <strong>and</strong> that<br />
–investments in early childhood development modify social <strong>and</strong> economic inequalities, addressing the<br />
issues of accessibility, equity <strong>and</strong> equality; <strong>and</strong> that<br />
–quality early childhood programmes provide an environment which supports the transmission of<br />
cultural, moral <strong>and</strong> religious values that are the underpinnings of a fully moral <strong>and</strong> ethical society.<br />
Thus, with a focus on Vision 2020 <strong>and</strong> the nine central strategic challenges, the Government of<br />
Malaysia has made a commitment to the promotion of the importance of early childhood years, from<br />
conception through the early primary grades. Further, in accordance with government policy, close<br />
collaboration will be sought with the private sector in the implementation of appropriate early childhood<br />
programmes.<br />
The recommendations of the Task Force are currently under review by the Government of<br />
Malaysia.<br />
South Africa<br />
The motivation for the study in South Africa 2 was different from the motivation in Malaysia. The<br />
study was begun a year <strong>and</strong> a half before the first free election in 1994. The impetus for the study<br />
was the high rates of repetition <strong>and</strong> dropout in education for a large percentage of the<br />
population. It was recognized that once the new government came into power there would be<br />
political dem<strong>and</strong>s to level the playing field. Therefore the new South African government would<br />
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