Our early childhood programs
The education sector of Malawi has recently demonstrated significant progress with an increased primary school enrolment rate. However, there are many challenges that still hold the country back. High pupil per teacher ratio, low learning outcomes, inadequate school facilities and poor early childhood education are identified challenges.
Under the data of the Global Partnership for Education, over 70% of eligible children do not have access to any form of early childhood education. The early years are crucial for the socio-emotional development of a child, it’s future learning and productivity. It is a high-return investment for vulnerable children and families, in particular.
According to the Ministry of Gender, Children’s Welfare and Community Services, only 28 percent of children entering primary school have previously had preschool experience. As of 2015 there are over 11,000 ECD centres in Malawi that serve 1.4 million children, out of which over 8,000 are public community-based childcare centres (CBCC), mostly catering to children in rural areas and opening for a few hours each weekday. Most CBCCs are volunteer-run by untrained caregivers, thus the quality and reliability of services to children vary greatly.
As part of the implementation process of the National Policy for Early Childhood Development (ECD), the Ministry of Gender, Children’s Welfare and Community Services in Collaboration with UNICEF and other key partners developed a syllabus for ECD to address the holistic needs of children 0-5 years of age. The main purpose of ECD services in Malawi is to protect the rights of the child to develop his/her full cognitive, emotional, social, and physical potential. However, lack of trained caregivers, inadequate facilities and learning resources impact the quality of services provided.
The Government of Malawi has identified early childhood education as one of the priority areas and recognizes the importance and need for urgent changes in the education system.
Future Through Education Fund is committed to supporting the national ECD policy objectives for the benefit of all Malawian children by creating stimulating and safe quality early childhood environments embracing traditional and innovative ways of child development with the help of technology.
