Holness

The early-childhood sector is to undergo a drastic improvement in programmes and services over the next five years, as the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) on Wednesday launched a National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the development of the division.

At the same time, Andrew Holness, minister of education, has promised more money for the early-childhood level.

The NSP 2008-2013 takes what is called the 'life-cycle approach', which is designed to meet the needs of children from they are in the womb, until they are out of the early-childhood years.

Serious shift

Speaking Wednesday during the launch of the programme, Holness said Jamaica spent 19 times more on its tertiary students than it did on children at the early-childhood level.

"The Government is now willing to seriously make a shift in the education budget to focus on the earlier stages," said Holness, adding that the ministry would not be clamouring for more funds. He was speaking at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew.

He added: "The change is going to come; the public is going to be demanding greater efficiency and performance output from the money that we are spending."

The strategic plan is to be financed by the Jamaican Government and a US$15-million loan from the World Bank.

In his remarks, Peter Holland, World Bank education specialist, said Jamaica had been at the forefront of early childhood development for decades, noting that this was the first time a country had developed a cross-sectional plan for its children.

Improved quality of life

He noted that countries such as Colombia, Chile and Mexico were monitoring the project and were excited to see how this plan moved forward.

Holland congratulated Jamaica for developing what he described as something innovative which would improve the quality of life of its children.

Chairman of the ECC, Dr Maureen Samms-Vaughan, said an NSP was needed to ensure that the needs of young children and family were met.

She noted that, biologically, the first eight years - particularly the first three years - had been identified as the period when brain development was maximal.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

What to expect from the plan after five years

Early-childhood parenting education and support services will be of high quality.

Health centres will offer high-quality services that aim to keep children well. They will also screen children and households to find those that are having problems and get help for them.

There will be a trained person called a "child development therapist" to help children with special needs.

Early childhood institutions will meet required standards.

ECIs will have trained practitioners.

The state of the young Jamaican child's development will be checked and reported to the public.