‘Early learning critical’
Zikomo Foundation country director James Wilson Phiri says early learning is critical for children because it prepares them for primary level.
He said this on Saturday when the foundation handed over Kachinga Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) in Traditional Authority Nyika in Mchinji District.
Phiri called on stakeholders to ensure children in rural areas attend pre-school classes.
by the foundation
He said the foundation advocates for ECD education in rural areas, but this cannot be attained if children do not have learning facilities; hence, constructing the structure.
“We constructed the facility following a request from the chief because the area has no community-based childcare centre [CBCC],” said Phiri.
He also said the foundation will provide potable water, a kitchen and solar panels to the centre.
Mchinji District Council chairperson Musha White commended the foundation for the initiative, saying 400 children from the area will benefit from the facility.
Mchinji District director of health and social services Juliana Kanyengambeta asked for collaboration in ensuring that CBCCs have adequate resources to enable children have access to quality education at an early age.
She said most CBCCs in the district have poor infrastructure, making it difficult for children to learn during the rainy season.
Zikomo Foundation is also implementing projects in sports development, health and nutrition in the district.
