The Key Role of ECD in building a better future
Professor Eric Atmore delivering his speech on ECD
South Africa needs a much greater investment in early childhood development if it is to overcome poverty and inequality in the most effective way,
Addressing a captive audience that attended the 12th annual Imam Haron Memorial Lecture at the Solly and Zohra Noor Auditorium at the Islamia College campus on 25 September, Early Childhood Development expert Professor Eric Atmore underlined the importance of ECD in eradicating many of South Africa’s social ills.
“Where children are free and can access early education opportunities for healthy development abound,” said Prof Atmore, director of Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD).
“Poverty and inequality impact negatively on millions of people in urban and rural communities across South Africa. This has a particularly devastating effect on our children and families since it deprives them of their socio-economic rights and results in inadequate access to health care, education, social services and nutrition. As well as turning childhood into a time of adversity, it undermines the healthy development of the child.
“This has led former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to say, “poverty is the major obstacle to the realisation of children’s rights.”
“Growing up in extreme poverty has many consequences. The most immediate of these include illness, stunted growth, delayed cognitive development and general lethargy.
“One initiative that overcomes the effects of poverty is the provision of good quality early childhood development programmes for young children, together with support for their families. Research in South Africa, and internationally, indicates that the early years are critical for development. The research shows that quality early childhood care, education and development leads to higher levels of social, emotional, cognitive and physical well-being in young children.
“These in turn lead to significant social, education and economic benefits later as youth and as adults,” he said.
Prof Atmore paid tribute to the role of the IAHET which has, to date, spent nearly R4million on funding ECD initiatives in collaboration with the CECD, Grassroots Educare Trust and the Foundation for Community Work (FCW).
“Through the Education Trust and many other initiatives, the legacy of Imam Abdullah Haron will be celebrated and live on. The Trust has chosen to build on the Imam’s legacy to create a better world for young children, a world in which young children are free from poverty, inequality and injustice.”
* Click here for the full text of Prof Atmore’s lecture
Professor Eric Atmore with Fatima Haron Masoet