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	Objectives and Justification Scope and Coverage Summary of Main Activities Program Management and Monitoring Financing Plan

Objectives and Justification » Up

The national EFA Plan highlights the growing priority accorded to Early Childhood Education (ECE). As a first step MoEYS had introduced a new department of Early Childhood Education separate from the Department of Primary Education. Consistent with EFA plans, Early Childhood Education objectives will be to broaden access for five year olds through cost effective, affordable and sustainable approaches. In particular, a key objective outlined in the ESP is to pilot alternative programs through an increasing focus on demand-side interventions including community based approaches, private sector involvement and partnerships with NGOs.

The expansion of early childhood education is a key strategy in addressing late entry into primary schooling, reducing levels of grade 1-2 repetition and grade 4-6 drop out, increasing completion rates and improving student performance. ECE provision for 5 year olds will provide better preparation for students upon entry to primary education and help to regulate entry at 6 years of age.

Scope and Coverage » Up

As the capacity for MoEYS provision is limited and formal pre-schools cannot achieve the target coverage for EFA, it will be increasingly important to develop and expand community-based approaches, to establish partnerships with donors and NGOs and to encourage greater inter-ministerial responsibility for ECE service. Within this context, the key priority is to extend the scope of both community and home based Early Childhood Education, particularly in disadvantaged and under-served areas. ESP targets for ECE expansion are 20,000 children in community programs and 88,000 in preparation classes. MoEYS will review current provision and develop a medium term strategy during 2005/06 drawing on pilot studies implemented under the program.

Summary of Main Activities » Up

1. Pre-school for 5 year olds. Key activities will focus on developing preparation classes for 6 year olds and a better quality pre-school program for pupils age 5. These programs will enable children to acquire basic competencies for Grade I and will promote early learning so that children are better able to cope and less likely to drop out of the system.

2. Community and Home Based ECE. Key activities will focus on piloting of community and home based education program, including community-based information campaigns, to provide holistic early childhood interventions, especially in disadvantaged environments, by parents/care workers, drawing upon activities in and around the community and the home.

3. Planning and Monitoring by Department of ECE and other stakeholders.

Management and Monitoring Arrangements » Up

The Department of Early Childhood Education will be responsible for the management and Monitoring of the Program. MoEYS will review other appropriate institutional arrangements including responsibilities at provincial and district levels, and also coordination with other relevant bodies including the EFA Secretariat and Committee, and commune councils.

Financing Plan » Up

Given the limited scope for Government provision of ECE, it will be important to mobilize non-Government contributions including in-kind community contributions, private sector partnership financing, and complementary donor and NGO support.

» Topic List
	Objectives and Justification Scope and Coverage Summary of Main Activities Program Management and Monitoring Financing Plan