EDUCATION GAP OP-ED: For 1.3m children, the caregiver is the curriculum — the missing early learning investment
As Literacy month ends, we need to focus on how we close the gap for all children and put the spotlight on the preschooling years, where caregivers are often the primary drivers of development.
As Literacy Month draws to a close, the spotlight should be on the critical preschool years and the crucial role caregivers play in children's development, particularly for the 1.3 million children who lack access to early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs. Despite 56% of caregivers believing their child is on track developmentally, the 2024 Thrive by Five Index reveals that 82% of unenrolled children struggle with basic tasks expected of their age group.
To address this, the government has launched several initiatives, including the 2030 Strategy, ECD social compact, Bana Pele registration drive, National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children, and the $29-million ECCE Outcomes Fund. However, there is a missing piece: support for caregivers and children outside of centre-based programs.
Many NGOs are already filling this gap through outreach, caregiver training, and home visiting programs. Investing in these out-of-centre households is crucial, as over 57% of South African children live in multidimensional poverty, highlighting the vital role caregivers play in their development. By training existing workforce members to become early learning and caregiver-support workers, the government can create systemic change and empower caregivers to become their children's primary educators.
It is time to recognize and invest in out-of-centre early learning and caregiver support as a legitimate and evidence-based pathway to support these children, as the fight against South Africa's literacy crisis must begin long before a child enters a classroom.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
