Basic Education Minister and Honor Technologies hands over digital devices to Grow Early Childhood Development

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, in partnership with Honor Technologies, visited the Grow Early Childhood Development (ECD) offices in Midrand for the official handover of digital devices on October 3.

Gwarube said these devices will strengthen ECD registration clinics, enabling more centres to register, and equipping practitioners to deliver high-quality early learning.

She said this builds on the milestone of 10 000 centres registered under the #BanaPeleECD mass registration drive, which was achieved three months ahead of schedule. “There is an urgent need to strengthen early learning foundations.

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Half of provincial budgets go to education, yet eight out of ten children cannot read by age ten. Our goal is to upskill practitioners and ensure that every centre, no matter its location, has the support it needs to provide high-quality learning.”

Tracey Chambers, chief executive officer of Grow ECD, highlighted that while centre owners are passionate about children, many lack the training and management skills needed for compliance and sustainability.

“Grow ECD addresses this with a free, integrated digital platform, offering curriculum guidance, parent-teacher communication tools, and mentorship – supporting the Department of Basic Education’s goal to upskill practitioners and expand access to quality early learning.”

Honor Technologies CEO Fred Zhou also emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting early childhood education, in both urban and underserved communities. “Honor is donating laptops, cellphones, and tablets to support Grow ECD centres, ensuring technology reaches every classroom.”

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