Premier
With reference to the Early Childhood Development Forum (ECD Forum) described by the Premier in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) this year:
- (a) What is the timeline for the development of the ECD Forum, (b) what are the details of the ECD Forum and (c) what is the envisaged (i) structure and (ii) overall objectives;
In the Premier’s address he refers to key stakeholders who will be invited to engage with the ECD Forum:
- what is (a) the breakdown of these stakeholders, (b) their respective capacities for engagement with the proposed ECD Forum and (c) their contributions to date to the development and/or conceptualisation of the ECD Forum;
- in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and likely third wave, how will the ECD Forum (a) be established and (b) conduct its business in order to achieve optimal results for the ECD sector in the province;
- whether the Western Cape Government has drawn on any best practice from (a) other provinces and (b) other countries or global institutions in the development of the ECD Forum; if not, what other practices, documents and/or other sources are guiding the development of the ECD Forum; if so, what are the relevant details?
- (a)(b)(c) The Departments of the Premier, Social Development (DSD), and Education (WCED) are working together to plan the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Forum and a detailed operational plan is in the process of being developed. As such, the timeline, details, structure, and overall objectives of the Forum have not been finalised
- & (3) As the Forum has not yet been established, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of stakeholders and their contributions to the Forum. It is worth noting that there are ECD Forums already in existence. The Department of Social Development has a well-established ECD stakeholder forum comprising DSD ECD programme staff, DSD directorates (children and families and Disabilities programmes), the provincial Departments of Education and Health, funded social service organisations, academic institutions, City of Cape Town, SALGA, SA Congress for ECD, and the Reënboog forum. There are also many ECD forums established in local areas, for example in Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Cape Winelands. Members of existing forums will be invited to participate in and contribute to the Consultative Forum.
(4) The Policy & Strategy unit in the Department of the Premier has conducted research into improving ECD outcomes and the impact of strengthened ECD provision on society and the economy. This research is reflected in the Provincial Strategic Plan and the Recovery Plan. The Policy & Strategy unit has recently initiated a study to understand the behaviours affecting early childhood development outcomes in the Western Cape and the findings of this study – as well as further evidence from international case studies – will feed into the deliberations of the Forum and inform the Western Cape Government’s implementation of ECD programmes.
