The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is to undertake the development of a National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the early childhood sector in Jamaica, over the next five years.

Chairperson of the ECC, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, has said that the initiative would be implemented utilising a US$15 million loan facility provided by the World Bank.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday (July 30), Samms-Vaughan said the NSP's primary goals would be the development of critical thinking, socially competent children, and parents who are informed, educated, involved and supportive in meeting the children's early development needs.

Internal processes

She explained that work to this end would be pursued through five "internal processes." These are: effective parenting education; effective preventive health from "birth" to six years old; effective screening, diagnosis and intervention for children deemed at risk; safer learner-centred early childhood institutions; and effective curriculum delivery by trained practitioners.

"This is not going to be an easy task. We have 45 targets to be met for us to be successful at the end of the five years. So every year, we have nine targets that have to be met, and there are targets in every one of these areas that will allow us to meet our goals at the end of five years," she outlined.

Noting that the plan was cross-sectoral, Samms-Vaughan told journalists that the ECC would be responsible for half of the targets, with other government agencies, ministries and organisations partnering with the commission on the remainder. These include: the ministries of Finance and the Public Service, Health, and Labour and Social Security; the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and HEART Trust/NTA.

Working together

"So, we have a cross sectoral plan where all of the country's state agencies are working together and working in partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the private sector," explained.

The chairperson underscored the importance of the targets being met, pointing out that while the World Bank "gives us US$1 million start-up funds in the middle of every year, the majority of the loan funds that we will get is based on our meeting these targets."

Performance-base

"Every time we meet a target, it is worth US$180,000. So every year, we have to be pacing ourselves and making sure that we meet the targets. It is what we would call a performance-based loan where the money that we get is based on our performance," Samms-Vaughan said.

She pointed out that the Government currently spends US$69 million on early childhood development, which amounts to US$213 per child. She added that on implementation of the NSP, the unit cost would increase by US$46 per child.

"We have gained 22 per cent of these funds by the World Bank loan and we have another eight per cent that is going to come in from off-budget expenses, which is already within the Government. For the rest of it, we are seeking private sector partnerships and international development partnerships," she said.