Urgent Action Required Following ECD Sit-In at DBE Offices

On Universal Children’s Day, 20 November, over 200 Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, activists, and concerned citizens gathered at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) offices in Pretoria for a powerful ECD Sit-In. Led by Real Reform for ECD (RR4ECD), the event emphasised the urgent need for government prioritisation and funding to address the growing crisis facing young children.

The ECD Crisis in South Africa

The event highlighted alarming statistics:

• 70% of children live in households that cannot meet their basic needs.
• One in four children under five are stunted due to chronic malnutrition.
• 1.3 million children aged 3 to 5 from poor households lack access to early learning programmes.
• 57% of children in early learning programmes are not on track for cognitive or physical development.

Meanwhile, R197 million allocated for the ECD nutrition pilot programme remains unspent despite rising malnutrition rates. The memorandum handed over during the event was accepted by Mr NM Ramahuma from Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s office and Janeli Kotze, Director of ECD, who committed to reviewing the demands and providing a response.

Key Highlights from the ECD Sit-In

1. #SpendTheMoneyParticipants demanded the immediate implementation of the ECD nutrition pilot programme before the end of the 2024/25 financial year. If left unused, the R197 million allocated by the National Treasury risks being returned or diverted, leaving millions of children in ECD programmes without essential nutrition.

2. #TableTheBillCalls to table and pass the Children’s Amendment Bill were reiterated. This bill aims to address structural and funding gaps while simplifying registration processes. Participants urged the bill to be tabled before Parliament by the end of 2024 and passed by the end of 2025.

3. #UpTheSubsidyAttendees advocated for the restoration of the subsidy from R17 to R23 per child per day, equivalent to its 2019 purchasing power, with a phased increase to R46 per child per day by 2030. This increase is essential to ensure quality and holistic ECD services.

The Way Forward

The ECD Sit-In underscored South Africa’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its target for universal access to ECD by 2030. Despite these promises, underfunding and delayed policy reforms threaten the future of South Africa’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

The demands from the ECD sector include:

1. Spend the Money: Utilise the R197 million for a national ECD nutrition pilot programme to combat stunting and malnutrition.
2. Table the Bill: Expedite the Children’s Amendment Bill to ensure structural reforms and streamlined registration for ECD programmes.
3. Increase the Subsidy: Restore the subsidy to R23 per child per day and commit to R46 per child per day by 2030.

A Call for Accountability

Real Reform for ECD urges the DBE and government leaders to act swiftly and ensure allocated funds are effectively utilised. Failure to address this crisis will leave a generation of children facing lifelong challenges due to malnutrition and lack of access to quality early learning.

With the financial year-end approaching, every moment counts. The government’s response will determine the future of millions of children and South Africa’s prospects as a nation.

About Real Reform for ECD

Real Reform for ECD advocates for holistic, well-funded, inclusive, and quality early childhood development services for all children. The movement focuses on creating an enabling legal, policy, and regulatory environment to expand ECD services across South Africa.

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