KEETMANSHOOP – Funding to an amount of N$1.1 million from the European Union has led to the recent inauguration of an early childhood development (ECD) centre at Tses in the //Kharas region.

//Kharas regional governor Aletha Frederick commended the 11th European Development Fund, saying they clearly understood the importance of early education towards learning for all children.

“They thus decided to support ECD programmes, including building ECD centres where young children can come to be cared for, shaped, moulded and be prepared for their future and lifelong journey towards growth and development,’’ she added. 
According to the governor, integrated early childhood development services play critical roles in the development of children, adding interventions that address children’s needs should be supported for children to reach their full potential.
“These include ante-natal services from the health ministry, social assistance and early stimulation from the ministry of gender, pre-primary school classes from the ministry of education and birth registration from the ministry of home Affairs,’’ Frederick continued. 

“Early investments will also yield a tremendous return on government investment in the long run; children who receive ECD services in their early years are healthier, more successful at school and less dependent on welfare assistance.”
The regional governor furthermore urged edu-carers to take good care of young children by using appropriate teaching and learning practices. She also expressed her profound gratitude towards the European Union for investing towards early childhood development in the region and also gave the assurance that the centre will be optimally utilised for its intended purposes.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na