Windhoek, April. 4 — On Friday, 1 April 2022, the Capricorn Foundation hosted an Early Childhood Development (ECD) networking session, bringing together key players in the field of ECD from both the public and private sectors, to share the need and scope of ECD efforts across Namibia. The event, titled ‘The Namibian Child,’ took place in the form of an insightful breakfast, aimed at sparking conversations around the importance and benefits of ECD and investments into ECD, the plight of the Namibian child, the national landscape of ECD and the role the private sector can play as corporate citizens. The event was attended by government representatives, development partners, NGOs and corporates, all eager to help network, share ideas and improve ECD in Namibia.
“A safe, healthy and conducive learning environment is critical for children to maximise their early learning and to build a strong foundation for their development. That is why the Capricorn Foundation saw and continues to see the need to invest in quality early childhood development (ECD), for the future well-being of the Namibian child.” Marlize Horn, Acting head of the Capricorn Foundation.
Panelists, Loide Velishavo, Deputy Director: ECD at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare; Esme Coetzee, Director of S.P.E.S Charity Namibia; Hilma Weber, ECD Programme Manager at Development Workshop Namibia; Mila Cravinho, ECD Specialist at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare & UNICEF; and Marlize Horn, Acting Head of the Capricorn Foundation, at the ECD networking session.
Speaking at the networking event, Daisy Mathias, also highlighted the Social Progression Pillar of the Harambe Prosperity Plan II, sharing the national landscape of ECD, and opportunities for private sector support.
In the same light, Deputy Director: ECD, at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Loide Velishavo highlighted efforts by governments to improve ECD programmes and services through the Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) Framework for Action, the assessment and registration ECD centres’ tool, the Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015), and the current review of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy.
“We have many success stories of our efforts. But at the same time, there is much that must be done regarding access and quality of ECD. With over 2 900 registered (not inclusive of non-registered centres) in Namibia, with approximately 20% of children between the ages of 0 and 6 having access to these centres, there needs to be much collaboration with community-run ECDs, NGOs, Development partners, and corporates in the CSI space.” Loide Velishavo, Deputy Director: ECD at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.
The ministry also encouraged the private sector to collaborate with them to increase impact or also counter check with the ministry when supporting initiatives around ECD to ensure that organisations are in line with the Ministry’s framework and guidelines.
The networking session allowed for fruitful discussions on ideas, plans, concerns and collaborative efforts to ensure the Namibian child has a strong educational foundation.
The Foundation believes that this is only the beginning of more efforts and results in relation to the social development networks. In the last two years, the Capricorn Foundation has not only supported numerous programmes in the areas of education, health, economic advancement, and sustainability, but also created opportunities to upskill NGOs, and further connect corporates with different organisations on the ground. The Capricorn Foundation has further supported various projects operating across Namibia with a focus on supporting ECD centres and developing ECD material for teachers and children.
