Government invests in Nkomazi’s children with new ECD centre
Following research findings on the appalling condition of creches in the province, Mananga was one of the areas to receive a brand new early childhood development centre.
Ms Busisiwe Shiba unveiling the Mananga ECD Centre's plaque.
MANANGA – Children in the area will have a better start in life thanks to the opening of a new early childhood development centre (ECD) in Nkomazi.
It was one of six centres recently built in various municipalities by the Department of Social Development and National Development Agency.
The MEC for social development,Ms Busisiwe Shiba, officially opened the centre last Thursday and said it was built after considering research conducted in 2012. According to the findings, 199 creche buildings in Mpumalanga were not in a good condition and only 17,8 per cent of the province’s 461 556 children had access to ECD centres.
“We are building a society that will see the importance of a child. Children are a priority for us and ECD centres work towards developing a child holistically, not just physically but emotionally, spiritually and cognitively.”
“The first 1 000 days of the child’s life are the most important. We are looking at the growth, body development, being able to interact with other children, cultivating respect and the emotional development of a child,” said the MEC.
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The ECD centre will accommodate children from age 0-4. Then they will attend grade R to prepare them for school.
The MEC stated that teachers will also be trained by the department of education on the curriculum.
Parents earning less than R45 000 per annum will be subsidised and the board will decide on the fee they can afford.
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