Chikwawa District ECD services impresses ministry

Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare has commended the operations of inclusive early childhood development (ECD) services in Chikwawa District.

Speaking during a visit to Tithandizane Community Based Care Centre (CBCC) in Senior Chief Ngabu’s area, the ministry’s national coordinator for integrated ECD, Francis Chalamanda, said he was pleased with the way the centre is involving children with disabilities to access education.

“What has impressed us is the number of children with disabilities here than in most CBCCs in the country which is a positive development,” he said.

Chalamanda urged parents and guardians that have children with disabilities to send them to CBCCs and not hide them in their homes.

“Our national policy on early childhood development entails that all children should have a good education base for them to progress well in life and our mission is to reach out to all children with ECD interventions,” he said.

So far, 10 CBCCs under Senior Chief Ngabu have benefited from the concept of leaving no one behind championed by Centre for Children’s Affairs (CCA).

CCA project officer Memory Chafulumira cited lack of food as the major challenge for the CBCCs.

She said her office has trained parents of children with disabilities, community committees, child protection workers and health surveillance assistants to enhance provision of the ECD services. n