The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched the National Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy, a significant step toward enhancing the wellbeing and potential of the youngest population in Fiji. The event took place at the Holiday Inn in Suva and attracted various stakeholders, including government officials, international organizations, and representatives from the private sector.
Among the attendees were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Communications, and SMEs Manoa Kamikamica, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow, and UNICEF Pacific Representative Roshni Basu, who discussed the critical role of a well-structured ECD policy for ensuring that children in Fiji grow up healthy, educated, and ready for the future.
Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, Permanent Secretary for Health and chair of the ECD policy, outlined the policy’s objectives and initiatives. He highlighted that this policy emerges from the 2017 Pacific Call to Action on ECD, which emphasized the necessity for investments in early childhood development as a fundamental strategy for resilience, economic growth, and social stability.
The ECD policy sets out to ensure that children from birth to eight years old achieve their full potential, contributing significantly to Fiji’s overall development. Dr. Tudravu drew particular attention to the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, which are crucial for brain development and laying the groundwork for cognitive, social, and physical abilities.
The National ECD Policy adopts a holistic approach, focusing on children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. The four core goals include:
1. Ensuring safety and nurturing care by creating supportive environments for children.
2. Enhancing health and optimal development through better nutrition and maternal health.
3. Promoting school readiness and essential social skills prior to school entry.
4. Encouraging collaboration among families, communities, and the government to improve ECD services.
Additionally, the policy outlines measurable targets aimed at evaluating progress and includes initiatives to increase early childhood education enrollment significantly over the coming years, while also tackling health concerns like neonatal mortality and nutritional deficiencies. Plans for better integration of health and education systems are also a priority to improve child monitoring and outcomes.
The implementation of the policy will be managed by a Cabinet subcommittee and the National ECD Advisory Committee, helping to track strategy execution and the associated costs.
Reflecting a strong collective effort, the launch of this policy signifies collaboration among multiple ministries, NGOs, and international entities. Dr. Tudravu expressed optimism that through unified action, the policy would bring about significant positive impacts for children and families across Fiji.
This groundbreaking initiative enhances hope for a brighter future for children in Fiji by ensuring they grow in a safe and nurturing environment, fully supporting their development into capable and confident individuals ready to take on the world.
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