The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) says investing in Early Childhood Education will be a must when it forms government.
The party observes that only 14.7% of Zambian children have access to pre-school services adding that these are mostly from the well-to-do households and excludes the vast majority of children in high-density locations and rural areas.
This is contained in a statement below issued to Zambian Eye by the party’s Spokesperson Charles Kakoma.
Education is the best equaliser in life. Progressively over the years, and more rapidly under the PF government, the education system in this country has broken down at every level. There is growing evidence to suggest that supervised engagement of children from an early age deeply affects their future physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. Therefore, optimising the early years of a child’s life is the best investment we can make in ensuring their future and the nation’s success.
Only 14.7% of Zambian children have access to pre-school services. These are mostly from the well-to-do households and excludes the vast majority of children in high-density locations and rural areas. The UPND is determined to fix this problem. Investing in early childhood education can be a powerful way to reduce gaps that often put children with low social and economic status at a disadvantage. Studies show that the returns on such investments are highest among poorer children, for whom these programmes may serve as a stepping stone out of poverty or exclusion.
There has to be political will to implement low cost but high impact interventions such as providing early childhood education to our people. The UPND has that in abundance. There is no reason that children between 3 and 5 years cannot have a few hours of intellectually stimulating but supervised play even in the most deprived compounds where our people reside.
Developed countries have a near 100% access rate to Early Childhood Education. South Africa is at 65% and they have a plan articulated in deliberate Government Policy to have universal access by 2030. There is no doubt that if you have educated children you will have educated and intelligent communities that will demand a befitting service and leadership to deliver that service. Educated communities are innovative and therefore they will develop the country. Our vision in UPND is to have an educated and enlightened citizenry that will change the lives of Zambians for the better. Investment in Early Childhood Education is a UPND priority!
Charles Kakoma
UPND Spokesperson