Maputo — Mozambique's Council of Ministers (Cabinet) on Tuesday approved the Strategy for the Integrated Development of Preschool Age Children for 2012/21 along with a budget of 40 million US dollars.

According to the Deputy Education Minister, Augusto Jone, the initiative is to give early educational stimulation to allow children to develop to their full potential.

Jone explained that this strategy will complement other on-going activities for the integration of children into schools, which have so far lacked the necessary coordination and complementarity between participants.

To implement the Strategy, the Ministry of Education will create opportunities for the participation of the private sector in preschool education with funds provided by the government.

"We will carry out a pilot phase in ten districts covering five provinces during the period 2012 - 2015", said Jone, adding that the government will set the rules for access to funding, including the terms of reimbursement.

The Strategy envisages the establishment of new nursery schools, with tenders being launched shortly. The first phase is due to start in 2013.