Enhance child development initiatives—Ministry

Chief child development officer in the Ministry Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Pauline Simwaka, has advised caregivers to enhance early childhood development (ECD) initiatives in Mchinji.

She said this on Friday at the close of a two-week basic training for 100 caregivers from Traditional Authority Mavwere in the district.

Simwaka said despite facing challenges, caregivers commit themselves to provide ECD services within their communities.

“As a ministry, we are working to ensure that caregivers are given the necessary support because they are key

stakeholders in the mental development of any child,” she said.

Simwaka urged the caregivers to use knowledge gained during the training to improve on their delivery at their care centres.

She commended World Vision Malawi (WVM) for funding the training, saying the organisation has been helpful in capacity building processes for caregivers in the country.

WVM educational technical programme manager Thandeka Nkhonde said most caregivers are working on voluntary basis which poses a challenge to the quality of service delivery.

“World Vision will continue to serve with love and work even harder to reach more vulnerable children to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities to all,” said Nkhonde.

Mchinji district director of planning and development Noel Dakamau said the council has included ECD programmes in its development plans.