Early Childhood Development (ECD)
A request from the Department of Education in late 2014 for serious intervention, support and assistance on ECD level lead to a base line survey of existing centre-based ECD programmes in the townships of Emthanjeni. The situation with regard to children age 0 – 5 years in Emthanjeni is typical of most areas in South Africa where the majority of people live in poverty. In short, there is insufficient capacity to provide for all children and where provision is provided, it is largely inadequate.
The first phase implementation started in January 2016. This was to upgrade the ECD centers with the necessary facilities to comply with Department of Social Development's regulations. KET continues to support ECD centers with curriclum support and by providing E-pap. The second phase is to build ECD schools in the townships of Emthanjeni. KET started building the first ECD school in the Nonzwaksi area in De Aar. The School is named iKhwezi Prep School and has already 50 children enrolled in the school. Two more school will be build in the future.
The objectives for our Early Childhood Development Programme are:
- To provide children with an opportunity to develop in the areas of numeracy and literacy, through play and creative activities.
- To improve the health and wellbeing of children, ensuring access to adequate facilities, trained practitioners, curriculum development, equipment provision and ultimately assisting centers to become registered and sustainable.
- To decrease the dropout rate of leaners which is currently at 85% and to increase the Grade 12 pass rate which is below acceptable standards (currently at 15%) with educational programmes offered from 2 - 25 years.
- To increase academic outcomes such as Grade R readiness, early grade reading, middle grade math, high school graduation, post-secondary enrolment and post-secondary degree completion.
- To create an environment where children can develop self-confidence, self-esteem and develop to social skills.
- To improve grade results and matric outcomes for school-going children and better opportunities after Grade 12.