Marie-Louise Samuels 05 July 2019 SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ECD Marie-Louise Samuels 05 July 2019

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Looking back Mandate Social Justice in Education Happening now Conclusion 2

LOOKING BACK

We look back to move forward (West African proverb)

LOOKING BACK Audit of Early Childhood Development Policies Nationwide Audit of ECD services Education White Paper 5 on ECE Conditional Grant Children’s Act Regulations National Integrated Programme of Action Outcome 1 NELDS NDP Racial discrimination of ECD provisioning 75% fee-based 80% private and 20% public 1994 1999 2004 2009 Pre-1994 2014 Education White Paper 1 on Transformation in Education Interim Policy on Early Childhood Education National Pilot Project Equitable share (Grade R) National Integrated Plan for ECD Tshwaragano Ka Bana ECD International Conference Expanded Public Works Programme ECD Policy and Programmes National Curriculum Framework for Children from Birth to Four Outcome 13

MANDATE

NDP – CHAPTER 9 “The quality and coverage of ECD services for children aged 0–4 years is poor. The youngest (0–3 years) are best served through clinic, home and community-based programmes 4–5 year-old children benefit from some structured learning in-group programmes”. NDP 2030 (Page 300)

NDP – CHAPTER 9…(2) “Universal access to quality early childhood development for children aged 0–3 must be made available and have a strong nutrition and educational focus. Although early childhood development may continue to be provided through the private sector, a stronger role for the government is essential.” NDP 2030 (Page 302) 3

NDP – CHAPTER 9…(3) Proposals for ECD Make two (2) years of quality pre-school enrolment for 4 and 5 year olds compulsory before Grade 1. NDP 2030 (Page 300) Institutional Architecture There should be a policy and programme shift to ensure that the Department of Basic Education takes the core responsibility for the provision and monitoring of ECD. Other departments should continue to provide services in a supportive capacity. Resource allocation should gradually reflect the changes in institutional responsibility for early childhood development. NDP 2030 (Page 302)

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS “This year, we will migrate responsibility for ECD centres from Social Development to Basic Education,” and “Proceed with the process towards two years of compulsory ECD for all children before they enter Grade 1.” SoNA February 2019

RECONFIGURATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS “The Minister of Basic Education is responsible for the Department of Basic Education. The DBE will lead an integrated ECD function in collaboration with the DSD and the DoH.” 14 June 2019 Statement on Reconfiguration by Presidency

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ECD

PROGRESS IN TERMS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES IN SCHOOLING Access 99% of learners of compulsory school going age are enrolled in an education institution Redress 9.7 million out of 12 million learners are receiving meals every day, and 80% of schools are No Fee paying schools. Equity 54.8% Girl learners enrolled for NSC in 2018 vs 45.2% boy learners 79.8% boy learners obtained NSC vs 76.9% girl learners. Efficiency 56% throughput rate and 9.6% repetition rates Quality Increase in the numbers and percentage of learners achieving admission to Bachelors (28.7% to 33.6%; 153 610 to 172 043) in 2018 Inclusivity 46.5 % of learners with Special Education Needs obtained Bachelor passes in 2018 NSC

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ECD How important are the social justice principles in our programmes as we look to the future? What do we know? What don’t we know? How are we measuring the principles of social justice? What are the stubborn problems that we have? What must be done?

HAPPENING NOW

NATURE OF THE SHIFT Immediate Shift - Overall leadership and coordination; Gradual migration of Grade R and Grade RR By 2024 all Grade R learners will be in schools (Public and Independent) and registered ECD centres; and By 2030 all Grade RR learners will be in registered ECD centres and (Public and Independent Schools).

CHANGE DRIVERS Leadership and Management that is underpinned by principles of Access, Equity, Quality, Efficiency, Inclusivity, Social Justice, etc. CHANGE DRIVERS TARGETED CHANGES/AMENDMENTS Legislation and Policy Children’s Act 38 of 2005 as amended; SASA 84 of 1996; NQF Act; Integrated ECD Policy of 2015; MRTEQ Policy Regulations Norms and Standards (ECD sites; ECD programmes, funding, nutrition). Funding Reviewing the Funding Model and repurpose some of the Grants (ECD Function Shift; Reprioritisation of Sector Funding etc.) Human Resource Development Refocused HRD targeting Skills for the Changing World at every level including the Professionalisation of ECD practitioners. Systems and Structures Strengthening of and Integration of Data Systems; Procurement Systems; etc. Change Management Aggressive Advocacy and Communication Strategy Partnerships Leveraging on expertise and resources available within and outside of the sector.

CONCLUSION “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African proverb

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