The government has launched nationwide consultations to revise its early childhood development policy ahead of the policy’s formal transfer to the education ministry in 2027.
The review process is grounded in the Basic Education Act, which provides that the early childhood development (ECD) policy must be developed and administered under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.
The formal transfer is scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2027.
Speaking during the first consultation session held in the Erongo region yesterday, ministry chief education officer and educational psychologist Ronel Busch said the exercise does not introduce a new policy framework, but rather realigns the existing one to reflect legislative and institutional changes following the mandate shift.
The revision aims to ensure that young children receive optimal developmental support and foundational learning to prepare them for a successful educational journey.
It also seeks to strengthen the integration of health and nutrition interventions and to create smoother transitions along the education continuum from ECD through to Grade 12.
“When the mandate shifted to the education ministry, it became essential to reopen and revise the policy so that it reflects current realities, with focus placed more formally on strengthening the support network around the ECD phases to improve early experiences for children,” she said.
Busch emphasised that improved outcomes would require a strengthened regulatory and quality assurance framework, including updated standards, enhanced teacher qualifications and robust monitoring mechanisms.
She further cited research showing that sustained investment in ECD delivers high long-term returns in human capital formation and broader national development.
“Resources are needed to generate a return. If we invest sufficiently in children at a young age, the long-term value for the nation is significant,” she said.
Erongo governor Natalia |Goagoses said the concurrent and systematic scale-up of pre-primary education in schools will facilitate the full absorption of children aged five to six years.
She said the broader expansion of pre-primary education under the ministry will be rolled out over the next two years.
The government also plans to significantly increase investment in the sector, including the introduction of a per-child grant for children aged three to five years, aimed at incentivising quality improvements at ECD centre level.
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