THE AFRICAN UNION CONTINENTAL EDUCATION STRATEGY FOR AFRICA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CLUSTER

(AU CESA ECED CLUSTER)

The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA16-25) identifies preprimary education as a neglected sub-sector that deserves special attention. CESA 16-25 clearly states that ECED is the pillar for future learning and identifies it as the next frontier if Africa is to realize sustained quality education and training. In recognition of the need to enhance equitable access to quality early learning programmes, and as part of its global Agenda 2063, the African Union has developed and adopted the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25) that calls for special attention to ECED in CESA 16-25. In pursuit of the foregoing, the African Union Commission is therefore establishing the ECED Cluster for CESA implementation in this field.

Cluster Achievements

Some of the activities that the cluster has accomplished

  1. Launch of the cluster in September 2018.

  2. Held 3 technical committee meetings.

  3. Developed TORs for the technical committee and the working groups

  4. Organization of working groups and designation of the chairs and conveners and adoption of the TORs

  5. The advocacy working group presented a paper to the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) that brings together Ministers of Education. They adopted it, giving clear guidance and recommendations on the way forward.

  6. Prepared a draft COVID-19 strategy.

  7. Had a session to orient the participants on role of the AU in supporting early childhood in the region and to raise awareness of the cluster during the 1st International Conference on Early Childhood 2018, in Nairobi.

  8. Advocated for the importance of early childhood, at the Extra-ordinary Summit for the Committee of 10 Heads of State and Government in Malawi.

  9. Advocacy for the integration of responsive care giving during the 67th Health Ministers conference in Zambia.

  10. Advocacy for early childhood during the 16th Japan Education Forum for SDG.

  11. TICAD side event that achieved that achieved a commitment of 10% of their budgets on early childhood from the partners.

Guiding Principles

  1. The earliest years form the foundation upon which later interventions and services are able to build. Essential later investments such as quality day care and pre-school education will have greater gains if they build upon early investments.

  2. Development spans the life-course and brain development continues throughout life. Investments in the early years must be consolidated and expanded by complementary investments in pre-school and up to and throughout schooling and adolescence.

  3. Family members are the primary care providers for young children. It is essential to place families at the centre of all child development programmes.

  4. An enabling environment of policies, information, and services is critical in assisting parents and caregivers to support the development of their children

  5. Caring for children is a human rights issue, which is enshrined in the African Charter for the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACRWC). Core in this regard is ensuring that poor, vulnerable and marginalized children as well as children with disabilities, minorities and young children in humanitarian settings are not left behind.

  6. Integrated programming is critical in ensuring holistic and comprehensive support to child development. This calls for collaboration across the various sectors including health, education, social welfare, finance, water and sanitation, and child protections.