Latest news with #Childhood
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rewriting the script of early childhood education
'Some kids win the lottery at birth; far too many don't — and most people struggle to catch up,' said the Nobel Laureate Prof. James Heckman. This holds true for India as well where its employment problem is partly a consequence of this 'lottery of birth'. A child born in India has a one-in-five chance of being born into poverty, affecting their health, nutrition, learning and earning potential. Yet, there is a way to beat these odds. From the decision by Uttar Pradesh to hire 11,000 dedicated Early Childhood Care and Education educators for Balavatikas to Odisha launching Shishu Vatikas and Jaduipedi Kits, States in India are showing the way. The Heckman curve was a powerful economic model that provided a simple yet profound insight — of the relationship between age and the rate of return on investments in human capital. Heckman found that every dollar invested in early childhood education yields a return that ranges from $7 to $12, with lasting impacts: children who receive quality early education are four times more likely to have higher earnings and three times more likely to own a home as adults. By age five, many gaps in outcomes — such as earning potential and quality of life — are already evident. Children often struggle throughout life if motivation and learning habits are not nurtured early. Learning outcomes Yet, India's ECE system faces three major challenges. First, children are not receiving sufficient instructional time. Nearly 5.5 crore children between ages three to six are enrolled in 14 lakh operational Anganwadis and 56,000 government pre-primary schools. However, Anganwadi workers spend only 38 minutes per day on preschool instruction, which is far short of the scheduled two hours, and only 9% of pre-primary schools have a dedicated ECE teacher. We are planting trees without the right care to help them grow. The effects are reflected in learning outcomes. The India Early Childhood Education Impact Study found that only 15% of pre-primary children could match basic objects, a skill essential for letter recognition in Class one. Similarly, only 30% could identify larger and smaller numbers, which are foundational for arithmetic. As a result, children often start formal schooling without the skills they need, with many bypassing essential ECE years entirely: 2% of three-year-olds, 5.1% of four-year-olds, and nearly one-fourth of five-year-olds are enrolled directly in Class one. The issue of resources, engaging parents Second, the thoughtful optimisation of resources for early childhood education remains a challenge. The Government of India spends only ₹1,263 a child annually on ECE compared to ₹37,000 a student on school education — largely on producing teaching-learning materials that are often underused. There simply are not enough teachers to implement these resources, and there is a lack of oversight — one supervisor is responsible for monitoring 282 Anganwadis. To improve oversight, we need targeted funding to hire more supervisors and dedicated ECE teachers. These measures, though modest, promise high returns. Uttar Pradesh has now moved ahead on the hiring of nearly 11,000 ECE educators for Balavatikas in all districts. The State also organised a six-day residential training programme for 50 master trainers from 13 districts to train them on ECE pedagogy. Odisha has taken the decision to open Shishu Vatikas in all government schools to make children in the age group five to six school ready. While increased funding would lead to immediate improvements, sustaining these gains depends on engaging parents, and here lies the third challenge. Most parents care deeply about their children's education but may lack guidance on supporting early learning. Empowering parents with simple, effective ECE practices can make a significant difference. For instance, providing worksheets or encouraging their participation in ECE centre activities can deepen their involvement. In Madhya Pradesh, the monthly Bal Choupal programme engages with parents directly by showing them the importance of play-based learning. With smartphone access nearly universal, parental engagement can be further strengthened through WhatsApp or EdTech apps, allowing parents to support their children's development. In perspective Reversing these odds may seem like an uphill battle, but with targeted funding and increased parental involvement, we can provide our children with the foundation they deserve. By 2047, over a billion Indians will enter the global workforce, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to reshape India's role in the world economy. Strategic investments in ECE and engaging parents in their children's learning journey could help 200 million Indians escape the lottery of birth and give today's young learners the chance to become tomorrow's leaders. This is a critical pathway to realising India's vision of becoming a true Vishwa Guru, empowering generations to come. Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Central Square Foundation. Luis Miranda is the Chairperson and Co-founder of the Indian School of Public Policy and the Chairman of the Centre for Civil Society
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Minister: Sarawak gazettes 14 new heritage sites, receives historic artefacts
Abdul Karim (centre) going through his ministerial winding up speech text with Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 27): A total of 14 historical sites, buildings, monuments, and underwater heritage have been successfully gazetted by the Sarawak Museum Department (JMS) under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance (SHO 2019) in February this year, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said these sites include the Rumah Panjang Melanau Kampong Sok in Matu; Rumah Sri Tanjung, Tanjung Lobang in Miri; Sacred Heart Church, Sungai Bawan in Kanowit; Makam Dato Permaisuri in Miri; Pusara Ali Wallace, Kampung Jaie in Sadong Jaya; and Shariff Skrang Cemetery, Kampung Igan in Matu. Other gazetted sites, buildings, monuments and underwater heritage are the Kuching City Mosque site; Beting Maro battle site; Batu Brooke coal mine, Gunung Ngeli in Simunjan; Batu Ritong in Pa' Lungan, Bario; Kampung Jangkar battle site in Lundu; Tuang Schist Semeba in Kuching; Folded Schist Demak in Kuching; and the Japanese Landing Craft, Brighton Beach in Miri, he said. Speaking at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting, Abdul Karim in his ministerial winding-up speech also said that JMS, as the guardian of Sarawak and Borneo shared heritage, had recently received five artefact donations, including two Lun Bawang 1960s sunhats. 'The sunhats belonged to Bill and Pam Lavery, and we received them from their son, John Lavery. The donor claimed that the authentic sunhats were obtained during the formation of Malaysia in 1963. 'Bill Lavery was posted to Limbang that same year as a teacher and later served as headmaster under the Colombo Plan of External Aid of the Canadian government to Sarawak. 'The Lavery family left Sarawak in 1965. The hats were later passed on to their son, John Lavery, who entrusted it to the Sarawak Museum for safekeeping,' he said. Another artefact, he said, was an old parang from Tebakang, Serian, which JMS had received from Mangu Bueng. 'The donor claimed that this parang has been with the Bueng's family for almost 100 years and it originally belonged to a group of headhunters who confronted Bueng and his wife in the early 1900s. 'In the ensuing fight, Bueng fought bravely and took one of their parangs. He brought it back to Kampung Tebakang Bidayuh, where it became a treasured family heirloom,' he said, adding that the parang remained with the Bueng's family, passed down through generations. He added that JMS also received two unglazed ceramic vases from Santubong from donor Mohd Rizal Bujang who claimed that the pottery was discovered in the 1970s by his late father Bujang Abdullah together with the late Ibni Zen and the late Othman Zen while fishing off the coast of Santubong. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah historical sites lead Sarawak Museum Department
The Star
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Rattling the past: How ancient toys shake up our understanding of childhood
Toymakers have been around far longer than many people realise, a Danish researcher told AFP Friday after the discovery of 19 ancient rattles some dating back at least 4 500 years. Mette Marie Hald, co-author of the study detailing the discovery published in the scientific journal "Childhood in the Past", laid out her findings to AFP. "We argue that the rattles served as toys to amuse and calm infants, rather than as musical instruments, based on the low noise level of the rattles and the relatively small size of their handles," says the summary of the paper. Hald even suggested museum curators should take a second look at their collections in case objects originally classified as religious artefacts were actually carefully crafted toys. "If you wanted to entertain your child, you could just give them a wooden spoon or a stone," she said. But even then, parents had the option to spoil their young ones with fancier alternatives. "4 500 years ago, parents would go to the market and buy toys made by professionals," she explained. Researchers discovered pieces of 19 clay rattles made in Hama, Syria, dating back to the Bronze Age, in the collections of the National Museum of Denmark. According to Hald, the quality of the rattles means they couldn't have been made by the parents themselves. She hopes the discovery will encourage professionals to look at clay fragments more carefully because other objects, light figurines, might turn out to be toys. "They are often considered religious figurines placed in a temple ... but we wonder if these can be toys made for children, as there is a lot of variety and they look very funny," the researcher noted. Mostly, such finds are unearthed as shattered fragments so the toys are difficult to recognise. As such, researchers have developed an identification guide specifically designed to identify rattles.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
New learning hub for local youngsters opens at Eastgate
New learning hub for local youngsters opens at Eastgate The Eastgate Shopping Centre has become home to a new innovative learning hub called Learnergy. Having opened its doors in April, Learnergy provides academic support, skills development and technological and psycho-social resources to learners of all ages. A fusion of 'learning' and 'energy,' Learnergy embodies a dynamic approach to education. ALSO READ: CoE embarks on skills training for Early Childhood Development centres Ntsako Mhlanga, a social entrepreneur and education advocate whose work has significantly influenced the education sector, spearheads the centre. Mhlanga, a former learner at nearby Jeppe High School for Girls, has dedicated her career to improving educational opportunities for young South Africans. Her initiatives have seen mobile classrooms in Limpopo, the development of school libraries and the production of educational documentaries to improve academic performance. Located on the rooftop of the Office Tower next to Virgin Active, Learnergy offers learners access to tutors, teachers, textbooks and reading materials to support their studies. ALSO READ: Parents urged to be supportive in helping teens to improve their driving skills The centre also has extracurricular programmes, ranging from entrepreneurship and robotics to social media and job-seeking skills. Learners can schedule private sessions for personalised support, ensuring tailored assistance that meets their needs. Besides academic support, Learnergy offers access to digital learning tools, free Wi-Fi and educational software in partnership with Vodacom e-School. Each learner will receive a device to access online educational content, bridging the digital divide and enhancing their learning experience. The centre also features a mobile iPad lab aligned with the SA school curriculum. With its comprehensive approach to education, Learnergy will be a valuable resource for learners, parents and teachers. On top of its academic offerings, Learnergy provides wellbeing support services, with educational psychologists available for consultations and assessments to help identify learning challenges. ALSO READ: Local bowlers show skills at tournaments Teachers will benefit from the professional development opportunities through the South African Council for Educators-endorsed training modules, ensuring ongoing mentorship and support to sustain high-quality teaching standards. Saadiyah Kahn, the shopping centre's general manager, was enthusiastic about Learnergy's future. 'Education is a vital foundation to setting up youth for a promising future, and Eastgate is proud to play a role in supporting young learners. Learnergy will provide a safe space where learners can access the tools, guidance and support they need to thrive. 'Eastgate continues to evolve as a hub for retail and community-driven initiatives, and this initiative aligns with our commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community.' Learnergy will be open six days a week: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 08:00 to 13:00. Prices start from R350 per hour for homework support. ALSO READ: Paddlers showcase their skills at Vaal River marathon Walk-ins by the public and parents are welcome and will accommodate learners from grades one to 12. As one of the largest shopping centres in Johannesburg, Eastgate has over 200 retailers, including local and international brands, numerous dining options, a multiplex cinema, a go-kart track and other lifestyle attractions. For more details on stores, events, competitions and activities, visit or follow Eastgate on social media for updates: @eastgateshoppingcentre At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
NGO warns that lack of water threatens young lives ahead of Hand Hygiene Day
NGO warns that lack of clean water in ECD centres puts children's lives and development at risk, as many are forced to rely on unsafe alternatives for handwashing. As World Hand Hygiene Day nears on May 5, a sobering warning has been issued regarding South Africa's continued struggle with providing fundamental water and sanitation services in early learning centres. This shortfall not only jeopardises the health of our youngest children but also threatens their development, leaving them vulnerable to illness and long-term setbacks. According to the Santa Shoebox Project, only 53% of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in South Africa have access to piped water, electricity, and flushing toilets. Even more alarming, 8% of these centres operate without any of these essential services. 'This is not just a public health issue, it's a matter of dignity, education, and the country's long-term development,' said Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project. 'No child should fall sick or die simply because there was no water to wash their hands.'
