MF Leader Supports The Early Childhood Development Grant (ECD)
Mrs. S. Thakur-Rajbansi seen at the special needs school concert
Mrs. S. Thakur-Rajbansi, Minority Front Leader stated that, in order to ensure better performance in formal schooling, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Conditional Grant for the next 10 years will address the quality factor in the education outcomes of our children.
This Grant allocation is aimed at expanding ECD subsidy to poor children in existing ECD centres and to improve conditionally registered facilities to meet the basic requirements for full registration. This will eventually increase the number of subsidised children in ECD centres and the improvement and compliance with health and safety standards due to registration. Therefore, the Minority Front calls on all ECD centres which are partially registered to ensure that the department assists with full registration. This grant will also increase the number of poor children who can access subsidised ECD services.
Mrs. Rajbansi highlighted that the subsidy targets children up to the age of 5 years or until they enter Grade R and that the subsidy is paid at a rate of R15 per day for a period of 264 days. This grant has come at the right time to meet the needs of the ECD centres which are creating jobs and caring for young children, in preparation for schooling, said Mrs. Rajbansi.