Latest news with #EarlyChildhood
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Yvette Berry says caution is needed on CCTV in childcare centres
The ACT's Early Childhood Minister says the territory must tread carefully when considering introducing CCTV into childcare centres.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Targeted initiatives to reduce poverty, youth unemployment in Dalat, says minister
Fatimah (seated centre) in a photocall with community leaders after the press conference. DALAT (July 17): The Sarawak Ministry of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development is intensifying efforts to tackle poverty and youth unemployment in Dalat through targeted initiatives and inter-agency collaboration, said minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. Speaking at a press conference at Kompleks Kebajikan Dalat today, Fatimah said two key meetings involving community leaders and government agencies were held to address these issues. In the first meeting, she said they reviewed poverty data and discussed strategies to uplift affected households. 'According to data provided by the Sarawak Development Office (SDO), there are 161 households identified as poor in the Dalat area. 'All names were verified on the ground with input from community leaders and agencies present. Some were found to have exited poverty as they now own assets. 'However, before their names are officially removed from the poverty database, SDO will conduct further verification visits,' she said. Fatimah added that assistance is being provided to eligible households through the Welfare Department and empowerment programmes. 'Some receive monthly financial aid, while others are supported under the low-income empowerment scheme through provision of equipment tailored to their specific needs, with the aim of improving their household income,' she said. She also mentioned that households with unverifiable or outdated information will be removed from the list. 'Our KPI (key performance index) is to revisit these 161 households by year-end to assess the outcomes of our interventions,' she added. On youth unemployment, she revealed that based on 2023 data, Dalat has 105 unemployed graduates, with 29 actively seeking employment. 'For those currently working, we are analysing the nature of their jobs and qualifications. Some are under temporary contracts,' said the Dalat rep. To address this, she said the ministry will roll out follow-up programmes including skills training, career development workshops, and sharing sessions. Agencies like Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) will be invited to provide job market guidance, while advisory counters and exhibition booths will be set up to support young jobseekers. Separately, Fatimah announced that the Dalat District Office has received approval for the appointment of new community leaders and extension of terms for existing ones. 'This is part of an ongoing exercise to ensure committed and resilient leadership at the grassroots level,' she said. She also disclosed an allocation of RM491,000 under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government's housing repair grant, benefitting 38 homes in local villages. 'Each village must have at least one home selected for repair, ensuring fair and equitable distribution. 'If a village has no homes in need of repair, the quota will be reallocated to another in greater need,' she said. Fatimah praised the quality of work under the programme, likening some repairs to newly built homes. 'From 2018 to 2025, a total of 470 recipients have benefited from the Home Improvement Programme, amounting to RM6.47 million in funding,' she said. Dalat fatimah abdullah poverty targeted initiatives youth unemployment
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Tshwane's ambitious plan to plant 20,000 trees to combat climate change
Obakeng Ramabodu, Tshwane's MMC for Environmental and Agriculture Management, announces the city's ambitious tree-planting initiative to combat climate change. Image: Supplied / City of Tshwane Planting trees can be a highly effective way to combat the severe impacts of climate change, making the environment safer and more livable for everyone. This was the message relayed by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environmental and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, as the City of Tshwane gears up to plant 20,000 trees across the municipality. Tshwane's tree-planting initiative will support the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment's 'One Million Trees' campaign, launched at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens, aiming to tackle climate change, food insecurity, and promote biodiversity. Ramabodu said: 'As the City of Tshwane, we are on board and we are pledging that we are going to contribute towards this programme of one million trees and we will be doing it in the townships, in the Early Childhood Development centres, in the churches and schools.' He called on communities to support the initiative, stating it would create a safe, healthy environment, help mitigate climate change, and ultimately protect the well-being of the people To fulfil its part in the one million trees campaign, the city will plant at least 20,000 trees in different parts of the municipality. Ramabodu said: 'Trees are crucial for a healthy planet and thriving human societies. Trees filter pollutants from the air, trapping dust and other particles on their leaves, branches, and trunks. They release oxygen, which is essential for human and animal life. 'Studies have shown that access to trees and green spaces can improve mental health, reduce stress, and even prevent neurodegeneration.' Mpho Mathalauga, a horticulturist at the Pretoria Botanical Garden's South African Botanical Institute, mentioned that there are 11 tree banks for plant storage, and the one in Pretoria will also be used to store plants donated as part of the campaign. 'We already have over 700 trees donated, and so this speaks to how people are supporting this initiative of one million trees. The trees will be planted in all the towns and the townships across the City of Tshwane and Gauteng. We are happy to participate in this and to see the city endorsing this initiative to ensure that the residential areas have trees as well,' he said. He emphasised the importance of trees in bringing health benefits and greenery to residential areas. Mathalauga urged citizens nationwide to preserve trees, avoid cutting them down, and instead plant more, emphasising that this is crucial in addressing climate change, as many areas currently lack sufficient greenery. [email protected]
Zawya
18-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
It takes a village: Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week to highlight childhood, community and connection
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and its partners will host the 2nd Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025, an Emirate-wide series of community activations, taking place from 17 - 23 November 2025. Under the theme Together We Can Make Abu Dhabi a Family-friendly Emirate, the week will serve as a platform for public and private sector partners to co-create and offer enriching experiences for families and young children. The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 embodies ECA's vision where every young child can flourish, to their full potential, in a safe and family-friendly environment. The week creates space for collaboration, shared action, and joyful connection, while aligning with the UAE's Year of Community by encouraging everyone to take part. The 2024 edition saw a remarkable response: over 25,000 families participated, more than 70 activations were hosted across the Emirate, and 1,000+ global attendees contributed to a vibrant exchange of ideas, innovation, and storytelling. Building on this momentum, the 2025 edition aims to deepen impact, broaden reach, and inspire even more engagement. While the 2024 edition included a global forum, a gathering of early childhood researchers and an Early Childhood Development Fair (biannual activities), the 2025 edition aims to create targeted impact on the grassroots level by engaging the community, through activations, across the Emirate. 'In the first 1,000 days, a child's brain forms over a million connections every second - these are the moments that shape a lifetime. We also know that investing in the early years is an investment in our nation's future. It helps lay the foundations for healthier, more resilient societies, stronger economies, and empowered future generations who will carry the UAE's legacy forward,' said Her Excellency Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. 'This November, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week invites every family, caregiver, community member and organization to be part of something truly special. Through playful experiences and interactive activations across the Emirate, we will be shining a light on the importance of the early years of a child. The Week will be an excellent opportunity for organizations to actively participate, co-create and contribute. Come out, take part, and contribute to our collective mission to make Abu Dhabi family-friendly,' Suhail added. Key themes during the Week will include: Spending quality time with children Nurturing cultural identity and heritage Using Technology and AI to support, not replace, real-life connection Creating more family-friendly spaces across the Emirate Reaching communities throughout Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 will transform public spaces into playgrounds of learning and wonder, turning everyday places into opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect with their children. The ECA invites organizations to co-create and offer enriching experiences throughout the week that are age-appropriate, child-centered, encouraging play, hands-on and interactive, culturally relevant, and encourage parent-child bonding. Organizations interested in contributing to this Week can register their interest by emailing ADECWeek@ The Week's partners as well as the schedule of community activations will be announced closer to the Week. About the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, established in 2019, promotes optimal child development and wellbeing, from the early stages of pregnancy to the age of eight. We influence policies, inform decision-making through research, incubate innovative ideas, all while enabling the Early Childhood Sector and navigating the impact it's making. We focus on Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Family Support, Education and Early Care. Our vision is that every young child can flourish to their full potential in a safe and family-friendly environment. For More Information: Musaab Abdulla, Outreach and Partnerships Department
The National
10-06-2025
- General
- The National
Abu Dhabi preschools to teach four hours of Arabic a week in new academic year
Abu Dhabi will require pupils from the age of three to be taught Arabic for four hours a week from the start of the new academic year, authorities have announced. The strategy, announced on Monday, aims to support efforts to promote the use of the language from an early age, the Department of Education and Knowledge said. Under the new School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, children of pre-kindergarten age (three to four) to those of kindergarten 2 age (five to six) will receive "240 minutes per week of structured, age-appropriate Arabic instruction" in the 2025-2026 academic year, which is to begin at the end of August. This will increase to five hours a week from the 2026/2027 academic year, as part of a broader push to immerse young people in the language. The directive applies to all children in those age groups, including native Arabic speakers. The lessons will be built around play, storytelling, songs and exploration to help young children connect with Arabic, the department said. The initiative outlines two learning tracks. The first is designed to improve the fluency of native Arabic speakers, with the second tailored for non-native speakers and those new to the Emirates. Championing Arabic language 'This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons,' said Mariam Al Hallami, executive director for early education at the department. 'It's about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity and connection, starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home.' The initiative aims to bridge the gap between Arabic learning for children in preschool and the start of mandatory Arabic instruction at schools. In October, the department announced that nurseries in Abu Dhabi would be required to employ at least one Arabic-speaking teacher and encouraged institutions to provide more training staff to promote the everyday use of the language. It said the mandate would be introduced at the emirate's more than 200 nurseries – referred to as early childhood institutes by the authority – for the 2025/2026 academic year. UAE leaders have consistently highlighted the need to preserve and protect the Arabic language for generations to come. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has long supported the preservation of the language, which is spoken by more than 300 million people around the world. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in May last year that there was an urgent need to foster Arabic language skills in young people.
