Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian has said it will continue to lobby for more resources to invest in early childhood development (ECD) programme in Mzimba District.
The synod’sECD Department executive director the Reverend Nase Chunga said this on Friday during a briefing to M’Mbelwa District Council child development and protection committee on the progress of its School Readiness Initiative project running in the district.
He noted that there is a lot to be done to ensure that ECD programme is successful in the district, starting from infrastructure development to training caregivers.
Said Chunga: “We need more resources towards ECD programme to, among others, construct more child-friendly community-based childcare centres [CBCCs], train more caregivers and provide adequate teaching and learning materials.
“The situation on the ground is not worth celebrating. We still have children learning in makeshift structures, with no materials and being taught by untrained caregivers.”
He, however, commended their project, funded by the Rodger Federer Foundation, as being on the right track. “The project is expected to end in 2026, but we are still discussing with the donor for extension to continue with the interventions,” he said.
Mzimba South district social welfare officer Bernard Nangwale admitted challenges rocking ECD programme in the district, saying about 60 percent of learning centres are not permanent.
He thanked government for allocating K32 million for ECD interventions in the district.
“We still appeal for support from partners and donors towards early childhood development to ensure our children are learning in conducive environment,” said Nangwale.
Mzimba has 844 CBCCs covering 34 276 children under the guidance of 3 646 caregivers. Out of the 3 646 caregivers, 2 516 are not trained.
