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DUT TO DISCUSS WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECD SECTOR

DUT TO DISCUSS WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECD SECTOR

The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Head of Department of Community Health (incorporating Child and Youth Care and Environmental Health), Dr Moeti Kgware facilitated the closing session of the Human Resource Development Council Early Childhood Development (ECD) Indaba held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) on Friday, 18 March 2022.

This prestigious event was made possible by DUT in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Government, led by the KZN Premier, Mr Sihle Zikalala and the University of South Africa (Unisa). Amongst the dignitaries who attended was the KZN Premier, Mr Zikalala, the KZN Education MEC, Mr Kwazi Mshengu, KZN Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Mrs Bongi Sithole-Moloi,  MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KZN, Mr Sipho Hlomuka, First Deputy Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council in KZN, Mr Edwin Mkhize, KZN Social Development: Head of Department, Mrs Nelisiwe Vilakazi together with experts, academia and various stakeholders in the education sector. Also spotted among the distinguished guests was DUT’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Gugu Mchunu.

The event themed: Providing the Children of KwaZulu-Natal a Flying Start to the Future commenced on Thursday, 17 March 2022. Premier Zikalala delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony, meanwhile MEC Kwazi Mshengu delivered the keynote address on day 2 of the event.

“It gives me a great pleasure to be part of this important event the Early Childhood Indaba, where we have invited under one roof all stakeholders to engage on issues pertaining to early childhood development. This might end up being a session where we get tempted to focus on the liberation of ECD functions from Social Development to the Department of Basic Education. We are here to discuss all matters pertaining to ECD and to discuss ways we can improve on the ECD teaching and learning in conjunction with the Department of Education,” said Zikalala.

The department of Education plans to give the children of KZN ‘a flying start to the future’ by giving them quality education at foundation level.

Echoing Zikalala’s sentiments, MEC Mshengu said the ECD centres should be innovation hubs for quality teaching and learning. In order for this to be achieved the quality of the centres must change and the centres have to meet the standards to be accredited. Mshengu emphasized the importance of children to start getting proper education at an ECD level, being taught by qualified individuals. MEC Mshengu urged the universities present at the ECD Indaba which was DUT and Unisa to find ways to accommodate the unqualified ECD practitioners.

A robust discussion was held between the ECD practitioners and MEC Mshengu where practitioners were seeking clarity on some of the issues he raised in his address. Many were worried when Mshengu raised the point of retirement age, saying there are ECD practitioners who are at the age of 70. He also made it clear that they will not be funding ECD centres situated in people’s homes as this is against their policy.

Regarding ECD qualifications, DUT’s Dr Kgware said there was a shortage of institutions offering qualifications focusing on ECD.  “There are few institutions offering qualifications on ECD. Our Director for Co-Operative Education, Mr Shakeel Ori is here too, and as discussed in the planning meetings, we have been given the task to determine what role we can play concerning possible provision of ECD at DUT. In our department, we have Child and Youth Care on one side focusing on the developmental needs of children and families within the spaces where they live, and Environmental Health that has to do with health and safety of spaces where people live. We are going to go back and discuss how we can contribute in ensuring that there is this articulation of qualification to ensure that this profession does not stand alone.”

Mr Sibusiso Ngubane from the Office of the Premier delivered the recommendations of the two-day event which will be forwarded to the KZN leadership for approval.

Pictured: DUT’s Head of Department: Community Health Department, Dr Moeti Kgware at the ECD Indaba.

Simangele Zuma

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