As a way to monitor the progress made in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD), the MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, went to Umjindi Early Childhood Development Centre last week (April 13).

This was part of ongoing visits by Majuba to take stock of the progress made, challenges as well as milestones recorded following the function shift of the sector from the Department of Social Development and the Department of Basic Education. The visit was an interactive session with stakeholders, the management and staff.

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The centre was established in 2017. After consultations with the community, it was discovered that there was a shortage of ECD centres to care for the needs of the children in the community. The centre provides quality edu-care programmes to 130 kids between one and four years.
ECD marks the start of the education journey that lays a critical foundation towards learning, development, and socialisation. To stress, support and sponsor this important factor, the department conducted this oversight visit.

According to the department, it became clear from the interaction that there is a need for improving engagement, share information and to collaborate purposefully towards the strengthening of the ECD sector.

Majuba said he is making a commitment to work around the clock to ensure the delivery of quality ECD programmes within the province.
After the visit Majuba proceeded to Barberton Town Hall to address Grade 12 learners from Umjindi Circuit.
This forms part of his ongoing provincial roadshow aimed at motivating the Class of 2023.

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“We are deliberately presenting these results so that you can be aware of how your schools performed last year and for you to make a conscious decisions to improve the results of your school this time around. It is all in your hands.
“You can change the way people look at you and your schools for the better. All that you need to do is to take position, work smarter and harder than before. Respect your teachers, pay attention to what they are telling you and walk the extra mile in your schoolwork. You must stop blaming your environment and others for your lack of focus and laziness but look at the positive side of things and make things work for you.”

The next stop relating to this ECD programmme will be the Nkomazi East Circuit.