Southern Africa Regional Conference on Early Childhood Development and Education (ECCD)

QUALITY MATTERS : The Case of Lesotho

A presentation prepared by :

Phaello Nts’onyaneMatsepiso Nts’aba

Mamasiphole SetoromoSetungoane Letsatsi Kojoana

03-05 December 2013 OSISA ECDE Conference

Pretoria South Africa

ECCD Timeline in LesothoStarted in 1972

ECCD unit established in 1985 as project

1995 ECCD unit became part of MOET

1999 NTTs placed in each district

2001 Engagement of four officers for home based programme

2006 reception classes attached to some of primary schools

2007 CECE program started

Challenges Inadequate training of ECCD

teachers

Lack of parental support

ECCD treated as business thus poor quality provision

Poor infrastructure for ECCD hence quality compromised

Low access rates (37.2% in 2012)

Irregular monitoring and evaluation

Lack of a formal program for under three’s

Response to challengesDecentralization of ECCD unit (NTTs -10 , ARTs –

100)

Countrywide in-service workshops for ECCD

teachers/caregivers

Attachment of Reception classes to some of primary

schools

Formalization of training for practising ECCD

teachers and caregivers (LCE)

Quality initiatives in ECCD - Lesotho

ECCD

2. LCE CECE

training

3.Development partners (local

and internati

onal)

4. In service training (other

stakeholders)

5. Multi-

sectorality

1. Government

support/ commitment

Lessons LearnedECCD teachers need a lot of support and

trainingBe familiar with new developments in ECCD

and technological advancementsEfforts are more effective if different

agencies/sectors work togetherIncreased advocacy with top

management/policy makersNeed more ECCD professionals in education

sector

SuccessesInstitutionalization of preschool teacher

training – CECE programme at LCEEvaluation of CECE programmeSmooth transition from reception to Grade 1Draft IECCD policy in placeDevelopment of Early Learning and

Development Standards documentParenting skills and Home Based Training

manuals in placeCurriculum for ECCD availableKnowledge Attitudes and Practices in place

Way ForwardAfter evaluation – diploma programmeEstablishment of National Resource Centre Expansion of Reception classesExpansion of ECCD services/programmes in

the rural areasRegulate and monitor ECCD centres’

establishmentWork towards development of a programme

for under 3s

Conclusionnational IECCD policy, with a strong

multisectoral approach, is in its final stage of governmental approval.

Better policy environment for quality ECCD at all levels

Partnerships will continue on advocacy, funds leveraging and evidence-based programming

Coordination, monitoring and evaluation will be strengthened for enhanced service delivery

“ The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better.” by Barbara Pletcher

When we have collectively achieved all of the above dreams and aspirations the children of Lesotho will thank us.