Uganda: Govt Strengthens Early Childhood Development With Training, Standards

5 December 2024
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Salmah Namwanje

The Ministry of Education and Sports has unveiled a robust plan to enhance Early Childhood Development (ECD) by institutionalizing caregiver training and enforcing stringent quality standards.

Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni highlighted these developments while presenting the progress of the education sector under the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026.

The government has integrated ECD caregiver training into the curriculum of Primary Teachers' Colleges (PTCs), ensuring professional development pathways from certificate to advanced qualifications.

This initiative is supported by the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy, which was approved in May 2024.

The Minister emphasized that improving early childhood education is vital for laying a strong foundation for Uganda's children, noting that the institutionalization of ECD training within public PTCs and the enforcement of regulatory standards are critical to delivering quality services.

To bolster this effort, the government has introduced sponsorship slots for diploma-level training in ECD across 23 Core PTCs.

However, enrollment remains low, as many caregivers are trained in unaccredited private institutions.

The Ministry is addressing this by promoting credible training pathways and a structured career progression for ECD professionals.

Caregivers now have opportunities to advance their education from certificates to PhD levels, creating a qualified workforce to support the growing demands of early childhood education.

Since 2023, the Ministry has enforced Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for Pre-Primary Teacher Training Institutions to ensure the credibility of training programs.

Additionally, draft standards for ECCE centers are expected to be finalized by December 2024, further strengthening the regulatory framework governing early childhood education in Uganda.

These initiatives underscore the government's commitment to reforming early childhood education, aligning with the broader goals of the NRM manifesto.

By improving training standards, creating career pathways, and enforcing regulations, the Ministry aims to build a strong foundation for young learners and elevate the quality of ECD services nationwide.

Read the original article on Nile Post.

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