A new report by UNESCO highlights the crucial role of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in tackling the global learning crisis. The report reveals that over 300 million children will lack basic reading skills by 2030 unless significant changes are made.
The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive ECCE ecosystem that supports children and families. This includes access to quality early education programs to bridge educational gaps, particularly for disadvantaged children. It also identifies a critical shortage of educators, urging the recruitment of at least six million more by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries.
The report calls for increased investment in several areas:
Supporting Parents and Caregivers: The report advocates for community-based programs to enhance the home learning environment. Additionally, it highlights the importance of training ECCE personnel to create safe and stimulating learning spaces.
Data and Research: Investment in data collection, particularly for children under three, is essential for monitoring and improving ECCE programs.
Curriculum and Instruction: The report emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to developing effective ECCE curricula and teaching methods.
Increased Funding: The report recommends allocating at least 10% of national education budgets to pre-primary education and establishing global partnerships to support ECCE initiatives.
A legally binding international framework for ECCE is proposed to establish clear government obligations, ensure accountability, and guarantee adequate funding for early education programs. This is seen as critical to preventing a worsening education crisis.
The report's launch event will provide a platform to showcase successful ECCE policies and partnerships worldwide. This includes discussions on current efforts to promote equity and inclusion in ECCE.