The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) hosted a High-Level Session on the final draft of Seychelles 2023-2030 Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). This took place Tuesday, 25 October, 2022 at the Savoy Resort and Spa, Conference Room.
A first Draft of the Framework has been produced following wide consultation with all sectors and other partners having a stake in ECCE. These sectors include; Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Social Affairs Department, Family Department and the Ministry of Finance amongst other external stakeholders with vast experience and expertise in education and social related fields.
The main objective of the session was to discuss the Strategic Policy Priorities of the Framework, gather inputs from the sectors and agencies in line with their strategic plans, and trace the way forward.
IECD has been described as the anchor for ECCE and as the guardian of the national framework. One of its predominant roles is to coordinate the implementation of the framework, thus the need to ensure coherence in the formulation of this new policy framework.
IECD embarked on this project beginning of the year to review the existing Seychelles Framework for ECCE dated since 2011.
“We want all the sectors to commit themselves at policy level to this Framework. One of the reasons we are having this session is to have all the sectors directly involved in ECCE becoming fully connected to the quality expectations of the Framework, agreeing on the importance of the Framework and the country’s aspiration for excellence in the holistic development of children. We have had various workshops and consultations to be able to draft this new framework, I can say it has been very progressive and developmental work, and this is hopefully the final stage”, said lead consultant on this project, Dr. Andre Leste.
Dr Leste went on to add that, some of the constraints with the execution of the initial framework in 2011 were due to limited involvement of key ECCE sectors. This should not be the case for this Framework where we have taken the necessary steps to ensure full participation.
IECD has now reached the last stage of the review process, which will require strategic inputs and contribution of the heads of the respective sectors in ECCE and partner organisations on the Strategic Policy Priority areas outlined in the Draft Framework and agree on the way forward for ECCE. Given that ECCE is crosscutting, the contribution of all concerned is crucial to further embellish the Framework and deliver high quality ECCE.
The High-Level event consisted of sectoral group deliberations, feedback, and a plenary session – the main purpose being to reflect on the need for national commitment to the Framework, identify areas of the Strategic Policy Priority for implementation in the ECCE sectors and gain consensus on the roles and responsibilities of the respective sectors in relation to ECCE provision, programmes and interventions.
Following the session, the sectoral inputs will be incorporated to finalise the Policy Framework, which will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval before the end of the year 2022. The new Seychelles Framework for ECCE is expected to come into force from January 2023.
Also in attendance at this high-level working session were the Chairperson of IECD Board Captain David Savy; Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Mancienne; Chief Executive Officer of IECD, Mrs. Shirley Choppy; management staff of IECD; Chairpersons of the Sectoral Technical Teams for ECCE; chairpersons and members of the designated groups who worked on the six quality ECCE themes outlined in the framework, amongst other professionals and external partners.
‘I would like to thank all the experts who participated in the high-level review of this essential document for their professionalism, expertise and passion for the early childhood field. The contribution of everyone involved in this process from the sectoral ECCE network and beyond, at different stages of the project, led to a comprehensive framework that complies with the most up-to-date and relevant demands of high-quality early childhood provisions, as the ultimate foundation for each child’s development and learning’ remarked the CEO of IECD, Mrs. Shirley Choppy.
Mrs. Choppy concluded by expressing deep gratitude to the IECD Board for hosting the high-level session, the generous sponsorship and support of the sponsor, and staff members and the unswerving collaboration of sectors and participants for their great reflections and invaluable feedbacks to finalise the new Seychelles Framework on Early Childhood Care and Education 2022.
