Holistic and Inclusive Early Childhood Care in Mali: A Community-Based Approach and Alternative Structures for Development
Executive Summary
The objective of national policy in Mali that affects all children from 0 to 6 years old, living in urban or rural areas is an holistic and integrated care of the young child; with a children´s rights approach based on the community approach allowing as many children as possible who live in rural areas to benefit from preschool services. To do this, a programme of alternative structures for the development of early childhood has been set up through the notebook of the mother educator translated into 8 national languages. Educating mothers have been recruited and receive incentives from communities and communities, trained on the job.
Implementation
Mali´s Ministry of National Education has developed a parental education programme with its image box which has been revised to take into account COVID and positive gender socialization. Mali´s Ministry of National Education has also developed modules on pre-reading rewriting and premathematics for children in the Grande section; with the training of early childhood supervisors and pedagogical advisers.
Stakeholders and partners involved
All stakeholders in the field of the promotion and protection of young children (the ministries concerned, the private sector, national and international NGOs, UN agencies, etc.
Impact
The impact is quite visible through the change of paradigm and perception of the importance of preschool at all levels, the increase in the rate of preschool enrollment from approximately 4% to 7%.
Innovations
Supervisor Training for Paradigm Shift
The multiplication of infrastructures and their equipment, the management of children´s snacks, the training of supervisors, the strengthening of communication for a change in behavior and mentality, development of materials, partnership, monitoring and evaluation and technical support, among others.
Constraints
Funding of the subsector
Investing in Early Childhood Development is a critical component of building a strong foundation for future success