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Abstract:
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Studies elsewhere have shown that if children attend pre-primary or nursery school they are better prepared for school itself. Children who have attended pre-school groups are more likely to enroll and stay on in school, and to perform better academically than their peers who have not attended. Early learning also improves children's health and nutritional status. Recognising these clear benefits of early learning, the Government of Malawi (in conjunction with stakeholders) has been promoting the establishment of pre-schools, including Community-Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs), throughout the country.
Until now there has been no systematic attempt to find out how many CBCCs there are, or how many children they serve. However, this survey covered all 28 districts, in Malawi, and the results have been used to create a database of CBCCs in Malawi. As well as locating and mapping the CBCCs, this study also looked at the quality of the facilities offered and whether they matched the guidelines given in the CBCC profile. Interviews with selected respondents provided qualitative information to supplement quantitative results.Findings of the study show that CBCCs have been established and are being managed by local communities throughout Malawi. They provide a pre-school learning environment that is available to children living nearby, including orphans and other vulnerable children. However, the quality of most of the CBCCs - measured in terms of buildings, sanitation facilities, staff numbers and capacity, equipment etc. - falls far short of the guidelines set out in the CBCC profile. There are, therefore, serious issues that need to be addressed in order to bring CBCCs up to the required standard.
The authors suggest that part of the solution to this shortfall may lie in providing training and better incentives to caregivers. These vital staff members, without whom a CBCC cannot function, are almost all volunteers. |