The National Coordinating Committee (NCCOM) has reported an 85% project completion rate, an increase from 81% in the previous National Action Plan (NAP).On November 22, 2024, the final evaluation workshop for the 16 projects within the sixth edition of the NAP for Early Childhood Care and Education took place, showcasing impressive participation from six key sectors: Health, Youth, Sport and Family, Social Affairs, Education, the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD), and Local Government.
Distinguished officials were present at the workshop, including Mrs. Linda William, Principal Secretary for Social Affairs; Mr. Kevin Perine, Principal Secretary for Local Government and Community Affairs; Mrs. Shirley Choppy, CEO of the IECD, a UNESCO Category 2 Institute; and Mrs. Yasmin Umarji, CEO of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC).
The objective of the workshop was to assess progress across various sectors and gather insights for future enhancements.
The Health sector highlighted its achievements in developmental disabilities screening, communication skills, and breastfeeding awareness initiatives, despite encountering some challenges. The completion rates for the National Action Plan surged from 63% to 81.8% by November 2024, reflecting improved coordination and performance within the sector.
The Youth, Sport, and Family sector shared updates on their “Stay and Play” initiative for teenage parents and the development of a “Safeguarding in the Early Years” policy. While there were inconsistencies in attendance for the “Stay and Play” program, optimism remains high, with the safeguarding policy nearing completion. Overall, this sector saw a significant increase in completion rates from 64% in 2023 to an impressive 87.5% by November 2024.
The Social Affairs sector reported on four key initiatives, including a recreational garden, after-school learning activities, and parental awareness programs on child internet safety. Despite encountering some obstacles, feedback indicated positive outcomes for the after-school program, contributing to the National Action Plan’s completion rates rising from 55% in December 2023 to 86.5% by November 2024. Notably, Projects 1 and 3 achieved 100% completion.
In the Education sector, updates on “Social Emotional Learning” (SEL) and “Action Research” projects emphasized progress, despite challenges with internet access and data collection. Completion rates increased from 65% in 2023 to 85% by November 2024, demonstrating consistent advancements and effective coordination.
The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) showcased remarkable progress across several projects, including data collection for ECD indicators, the expansion of childcare services, and the establishment of an online benefits system. The CBISS project received particularly positive feedback, with overall completion rates soaring from 28.5% in 2023 to 100% by mid-2024, and maintaining a commendable 96% success rate by November 2024.
Mrs. Choppy, representing the National Coordinating Committee (NCCOM), made several recommendations, including extending the National Action Plan period to three years, increasing allowances for the technical team, and implementing ongoing analyses of the Plan’s progress to facilitate future improvements.
This collaborative effort signifies a strong commitment to advancing Early Childhood Care and Education initiatives, laying a solid foundation for ongoing success and improvement.
