KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Tuesday said Katchi (orientation class) in the province would soon be transformed into Early Childhood Education (ECE) class.
He said this while highlighting the significance of Sindh Education Sector Plan (SESP) 2014/15 -2018/19 in ECE within the province during a session organised by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agaahi.
He said that Sindh government is committed to develop and implement ECE policy and comply with minimum standards for ECE.
Model ECE-Centers would be established, besides creation of ECE teachers' cadre are also part of the ECED policy, he said.
Nisar Khuhro expressed these views while addressing the regional conference on the Right to Education and Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED), Foundation for Quality Learning-Evidence from South Asia from September 16 to 17, at a hotel here Tuesday.
Nisar Khuhro was the special guest while Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Education and Literacy Department, Sindh, Fazallullah Pechuho presided over the session.
The conference was convened by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agaahi, along with Education and Literacy Department, Sindh, South Asia Forum for Education Development (SAFED) and development partners (OSF/DFID/Dubai Cares and Oxfam GB).
He said that it gives him great pleasure to know that the debates and dialogues that have been taking place globally, regionally and within countries on the post 2015 development agenda - overseen by the UN Secretary General - Open Working Groups (OWGs) on Sustainable development and UNESCO's EFA's Steering committee and the Global Education for ALL meetings most recently held in Oman on May 14,2014.
He said that the government is determined to review and revise ECE curriculum and ensure provision of learning materials.
Supporting learners' transition from home to school and ECE to higher classes is also part of the ECED policy, he added.
Earlier, Dr. Fazaullah Pechuho welcomed the participants from the South Asian countries and acknowledged the role of the private sector for the education sector in not only Sindh but also the national policy.
Addressing the occasion, Director Programs, Idara-e-Taleem- o-Aagahi (ITA), Baela Raza Jamil said that for over 66 years we have seen that to make human resources strong, the investment must be consistent and embedded in foundation.
This begins at birth and progressively it must be supported through a strong early year's program.
Baela Raza said there are compelling reasons for undertaking this endeavor.
Unfortunately, to date we are not convinced in making the investments that are critical for this age group as the critical pillar for equity without any discrimination targeting the most excluded and the disadvantaged making mind shifts is imperative now, she added.
The session was inaugurated by Director of Valy Mohammad Institute for Education (VMIE), Dr. Bernadette Dean while Chief Program Manager, Reform Support Unit (RSU), Government of Sindh, Saba Mahmood presented the introduction.
Interim Director of Agha Khan University, Dr. Ghazala Rafique, discussed the process of evaluation for ECED.
The conference was attended by senior government officers across Pakistan, practitioners, policy makers, academics, civil society organizations, development partners and delegates from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The conference titled "Right to Education & Early Childhood Education and Development (EDED), Foundation for Quality Learning - Evidence from South Asia" is aimed to upgrade the ECE/ECED profile in education initiatives - policy, curriculum and standards, teacher education, assessment and research and innovation as part of the right to education movement and its accompanying legislation and rules in Pakistan and in other South Asian Countries.
Recognizing ECE/ECED as a comprehensive learning and multi-sectoral agenda within the diverse contexts of South Asia, the conference covered key principles, recommendations and actions in five areas include Policy and Right to Education, Curriculum and Standards, Teacher Preparation, Assessment and Research and Innovations.
After the inauguration session the conference was formally begun with the policy and RTE status of all provinces along with ICT.
The conference continued the entire day along all the themes of teacher preparation, curriculum and standards to form five groups to discuss next steps forward and also shape a Karachi Statement which will be in presenting at international and UN forums.
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