PARENTS DENY CHILDREN ECD OVER COVID-19 FEARS

By Meclina Chirwa  

A grouping of women in Mgona Township in Lilongwe has slammed some parents who are denying their children access to early childhood education despite schools reopening. 

Chairperson of the concerned women Florence Katanda expressed concerns that attendance figures in early childhood development centers has been wanting due to the negligence.

In an interview with Timveni Online, some of the accused parents conceded that their actions are among others based on fears of Covid-19 infection posed by care givers who are survivors of the pandemic. 

Early childhood development programs are most effective in reducing inequalities if they are introduced early in life and provide integrated services that target the many risks faced by vulnerable children.

However, ECD remains the least prioritized and resourced component of the education sector in sub-Saharan Africa including Malawi, with less than 12% of children accessing quality ECD services.

The chairperson of the concerned women has since urged authorities to conduct awareness campaigns on the importance of sending children to early childhood development centers.