Call to support early learning

THE full potential of future generations can only be realised if children are given a comprehensive package of support in their early years, an education official says.
National Lutheran education secretary Elisha Waga said the support for quality and holistic early development was critical for building the brain architecture, establishing the foundation for all future learning, behaviour and health.
Waga said human capital investments in Papua New Guinea needed to be prioritised for the early years (from conception to eight years of age), with a focus on the first 1,000 days where the most impact was made.
He said providing early childhood development (ECD) services and programmes for young children and their parents or caregivers fulfillled the country’s commitment at the national and international level, as cited in the Lukautim Pikinini Act and the Pasifika Call to Action.
“According to the Development Strategic Plan 2010-2030, PNG’s economy will be K3.5 billion better off each year and investment in human capital, through the family system, is also critical during the early childhood development,” Waga said. “Early childhood development is important in laying the social and attitudinal foundation of the human capital.
“ECD is also a key target in the Sustainable Development Goals and plays multiplier effects across the development goals,” he said.
“ECD is directly addressed in education target 4.2: ‘By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.’”
He said ECD interventions also contributed to achieving goal one (no poverty), goal three (good health and well-being), goal six (clean water and sanitation) and goal 16 (peaceful and inclusive societies).
He said many children were not enjoying the full spectrum of opportunities to develop optimally.
Waga said the human capital index estimated that a child born in PNG today would only fulfill 38 per cent of his or her potential.
“This is due to the huge gap that exist in the country’s health care, education, and protection systems for children,” Waga said.
“PNG has one of the highest (under five years) child mortality rate across Pacific island countries, which stands at 53.4 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2017.
“There are also frequent outbreaks of diarrhoea caused by poor water sanitation and hygiene practices and infrastructure.
He said early childhood development paved the way for healthier and more productive populations, with potential returns that far exceeded the cost. “High quality programmes in the early years have cumulative effects on later academic achievement.”