policy set to transform services, nears finalisation

IN a significant developmental milestone, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) together with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), on Monday organised a validation exercise of the Draft Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy which commenced with the engagement of caregivers, and licensing officers.
This exercise was lauded by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud as a major step toward the finalising of the policy, which is a first for Guyana and focuses on the developmental milestones of children ages zero to three years, nine months.

Minister Persaud highlighted the positive effects on the Care Centers and their services. The minister stressed the importance of centers providing free training to their staff in early childhood.
UNICEF, in a press release, has stated that its Social Policy Specialist Michael Gillis, during the opening session, highlighted that the policy aims to ensure that the needs of children in their early stages are met across the country.
“Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. Studies have shown that practices from birth to the age of school entry have profound impacts on children’s physical, mental, emotional and social development and lay the foundation for the rest of their lives,” he said while also noting that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life matter.
Despite the numerous challenges that countries encounter in providing effective ECD services due to resource constraints, accessibility issues, and inconsistent quality of care, Gillis clarified that Guyana is making strides in enhancing its ECD services through the implementation of a comprehensive policy.

Moreover, he restated UNICEF’s dedication to collaborating with the Ministry of Human Services in order to execute the approved ECD policy. This will be achieved through the creation of ECD manuals and the provision of capacity-building support to trainers for nationwide assistance in ECD.

“UNICEF is optimistic about the outcomes of this validation meeting and the potential impact of the policy on the lives of children,” Gillis said.
In the meantime, the Canadian High Commissioner, Mark Berman, expressed satisfaction regarding the progress of the draft ECD policy, as it enters its final stage, and eagerly anticipates its forthcoming implementation.
“This policy represents ours and your commitment to ensuring that all children have access to the best possible education and care available”
The draft Early Childhood Development (ECD) policy arrives at a crucial moment for UNICEF, as the intergovernmental organisation readies itself to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of a Child alongside the global community later this year. One of these rights includes the right to receive an education.