Latest news with #Zelezniak
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Preschoolers are still without water to wash their hands
Too many South African children are unable to wash their hands as only 53% of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres have piped water, electricity, and flushing toilets, while 8% have none at all. This is because, despite a record R210 million government pledge to upgrade these centres over the next two years, basic infrastructure remains severely lacking. Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, warns that South Africa risks undermining the lifesaving power of handwashing unless urgent steps are taken to ensure access to clean, safe water in early learning spaces. 'Children constantly touch surfaces and objects, picking up germs as they go,' she explains. 'Without proper hand hygiene, those germs can lead to dangerous illnesses like diarrhoea and respiratory infections - two of the leading causes of death among South Africa's under-fives. Handwashing with soap can cut diarrhoea rates by up to 40% and respiratory infections by up to 25%.' Beyond health concerns, Zelezniak highlights the deeper developmental consequences: 'Research shows that poor water and sanitation infrastructure hinders a child's cognitive, language, and motor development, with long-term effects on their educational attainment.' While efforts to register and upgrade ECD centres are underway, many facilities remain stuck in a vicious cycle. 'Centres that can't afford the water and sanitation improvements needed for registration are locked out of the very funding that could help them upgrade,' she says. 'Instead, they rely on rainwater tanks, boreholes, or public taps- none of which guarantee consistency or safety.' Non-profits like the Santa Shoebox Project are working to renovate centres and promote better hygiene practices, but Zelezniak stresses that systemic change is essential. 'This is not just a public health issue, it's a matter of dignity, education, and the country's long-term development. Supporting ECD owners to meet registration standards must be a national priority.' 'No child should fall sick or die simply because there was no water to wash their hands,' concludes Zelezniak. Nasreen Badrodien I Santa Shoebox Project
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Over 2 in 5 households don't own a single book
Thousands of children enter formal schooling without the foundational literacy skills needed for success. Research from the World Literacy Foundation shows that children who lack early literacy skills are more likely to fall behind and face long-term educational challenges. The research shows that despite government's recognition of early childhood development (ECD) as crucial to reversing South Africa's literacy crisis, meaningful action has been delayed by three decades. Although the seventh administration has reaffirmed its focus on early childhood literacy, these commitments remain largely unfulfilled due to a lack of funding. 'Operating a compliant ECD programme costs nearly five times the per-learner subsidy, leaving many centres without sufficient resources,' explains Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project. 'Currently, 61% of ECD centres have fewer than 10 books for children, and only 56% provide age-appropriate reading materials.' The lack of access to books extends beyond ECD centres, with over 40% of South African households having no books at all. According to the Department of Basic Education and Unifec South Africa, this means many children enter Grade One without ever having held a book. 'While the R99m allocated over the Medium-term Expenditure Framework for early grade reading initiatives is a step in the right direction, we need immediate action. The urgency of South Africa's literacy crisis cannot be overstated,' stresses Zelezniak. In response, non-profits like the Santa Shoebox Project are stepping in to bridge the gap by installing reading corners in ECD centres, providing children with the essential resources they need to develop literacy skills. These spaces are filled with age-appropriate books, and children can engage with stories on their own or with a caregiver. To date, the organisation has installed over 220 reading corners in facilities around the country. Caregivers are also trained on how to incorporate books into the learning experience in ways that support ECD milestones. Between the ages of two and five, for example, these include pointing to objects in a book, turning pages independently, and beginning to grasp basic grammar concepts. Ultimately, these are the building blocks that help children read, write, communicate and connect with others – giving them a strong start at school and setting the stage for lifelong learning. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
