More than 1.3 million children in South Africa are not enrolled in any early childhood development (ECD) programme, according to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube.
This means they are missing out on key literacy and numeracy skills needed for future success in school.
Speaking at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit in Johannesburg on Monday, Gwarube highlighted the impact of this gap, particularly in poorer communities.
“The children who are not attending ECD are found mostly in poorer communities and this unequal access entrenches the inequalities that have come to define our country.
“The difference between wealthier children and poorer children in being developmentally on track in ECD is staggering,” she said.
She noted that children in wealthier schools tend to develop stronger reading and problem-solving skills compared to those in underprivileged areas. The government has set a bold goal to change this.
“By 2030, we want every child in South Africa to have access to quality early learning,” Gwarube said. However, she emphasised that this would require more than just funding. “This is about doing something impactful! Meaningful! Transformative!” she declared.
Last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R10 billion allocation for ECD, while President Cyril Ramaphosa reinforced the importance of early education.
“So, this initiative also emphasises the importance of this early childhood development in a child’s life, a period critical for cognitive as well as emotional development, by focusing on comprehensive early childhood care and education,” he said.
To make this vision a reality, Gwarube called for collaboration between government, private sector leaders, and civil society to ensure every child gets the foundation they need for a brighter future.
