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Parents are happy about the launch of the newly constructed Early Childhood Development Play Hubs for their children
Posted on: 28th October, 2024 By: NRDO Uganda 8 - 10 min read
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IGANGA - During the first few years of life, a child's brain develops at an astonishing rate, forming the basis for cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional resilience. Quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs, which include health, nutrition, education, and parental support, ensure that children receive the essential stimuli they need for growth. One notable study by Byson Sabola, titled “The Impact of Early Childhood Development Centres on Performance of Children in Early Primary School” indicates that children who participate in ECD programs are more likely to perform better academically, exhibit improved social skills, and have a higher likelihood of completing higher education.
“By investing in ECD, communities not only enhance individual children’s prospects but also contribute to the overall socio-economic development, reducing future costs in remedial education, healthcare, and even the criminal justice system. ECD is crucial because it lays the foundation for a child's future well-being and learning”, said Annah Kamusiime the Programmes Director at Nascent RDO-U, during the launch of the newly constructed ECD centers at Kinawanswa Primary school and Bubaka primary school all found in Iganga district.
The ECD centers were launched by Nascent RDO-U on 22 and 23 October 2024 (Kinawanswa and Bubaka primary schools respectively) which attracted thousands of people from within Bulamagi sub-county, Iganga district and nearby villages. Many competitions took place, which included building games, races between children and their parents, teachers and students, villages competing with other villages and district officials competing amongst themselves.
The construction of the new ECD Centers or Play Hubs at both schools was enabled by Nascent Research and Development Organization (Nascent RDO), together with Netherland’s International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI), through a 2-year project called “Foundations for the future: A strong start for every child from birth to school age”, with funding from [[https://www.dioraphte.nl,,,,Stichting Dioraphte]], [[https://www.weeshuisdoopsgezinden.nl,,,,Weeshuis der Doopsgezinden in Haarlem]] and other donors. The project focuses on 2 main core approaches namely "The Home Visiting Programme" and "Play Hub", both of which approaches were developed and tested by ICDI. Although the project emphasizes the first years of life or early childhood, its main target group is children from 0 to 8 years old.
Annah Kamusiime, also thanked the district and local leadership working alongside them for the good of the project and called upon parents to always engage, monitor and play with their children. “As you saw parent groups here presenting their custom-made indigenous play materials for their children, one of the parents explained that long ago guardians used to play with their children but nowadays it is no longer the case. Why?” Kamusiime recollected. “It shows that we the parents no longer have time for our children and are not involved in their plays or even buying materials or toys for them to play with. So, this project focuses on encouraging more play and it’s for everyone including grandparents,” Kamusiime added.
Barbra Odongo, Programmes Manager for social protection at Nascent RDO-U, asked parents to take advantage of the new Play Hubs at both of the schools and also asked the community people to collaborate with the experts from the organisation that are conducting Home Visits in their households as part of extending ECD services to more households.
In attendance, Harriet Wabaire, who represented the District Education Officer (DEO) of Iganga, urged parents to bring their children to the newly constructed Play Hubs and enable their children to access ECD programmes. The Iganga district LC5 chairperson Ezra Gabula also thanked Nascent RDO-U for the support and improvement of education standards amongst children in Iganga district.
Other Iganga leaders also in attendance were Abdul Kintu, the senior assistant chief administration officer, senior labour officer Abubaker Waiswa, Shakirah Naigaga, the Bulamagi sub-county Community Development officer, Sayid Mukoti, the district Community Development officer, and Godfrey Ntare, the district probation officer, among others.
“By investing in ECD, communities not only enhance individual children’s prospects but also contribute to the overall socio-economic development, reducing future costs in remedial education, healthcare, and even the criminal justice system. ECD is crucial because it lays the foundation for a child's future well-being and learning”, said Annah Kamusiime the Programmes Director at Nascent RDO-U, during the launch of the newly constructed ECD centers at Kinawanswa Primary school and Bubaka primary school all found in Iganga district.
The ECD centers were launched by Nascent RDO-U on 22 and 23 October 2024 (Kinawanswa and Bubaka primary schools respectively) which attracted thousands of people from within Bulamagi sub-county, Iganga district and nearby villages. Many competitions took place, which included building games, races between children and their parents, teachers and students, villages competing with other villages and district officials competing amongst themselves.
The construction of the new ECD Centers or Play Hubs at both schools was enabled by Nascent Research and Development Organization (Nascent RDO), together with Netherland’s International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI), through a 2-year project called “Foundations for the future: A strong start for every child from birth to school age”, with funding from [[https://www.dioraphte.nl,,,,Stichting Dioraphte]], [[https://www.weeshuisdoopsgezinden.nl,,,,Weeshuis der Doopsgezinden in Haarlem]] and other donors. The project focuses on 2 main core approaches namely "The Home Visiting Programme" and "Play Hub", both of which approaches were developed and tested by ICDI. Although the project emphasizes the first years of life or early childhood, its main target group is children from 0 to 8 years old.
Annah Kamusiime, also thanked the district and local leadership working alongside them for the good of the project and called upon parents to always engage, monitor and play with their children. “As you saw parent groups here presenting their custom-made indigenous play materials for their children, one of the parents explained that long ago guardians used to play with their children but nowadays it is no longer the case. Why?” Kamusiime recollected. “It shows that we the parents no longer have time for our children and are not involved in their plays or even buying materials or toys for them to play with. So, this project focuses on encouraging more play and it’s for everyone including grandparents,” Kamusiime added.
Barbra Odongo, Programmes Manager for social protection at Nascent RDO-U, asked parents to take advantage of the new Play Hubs at both of the schools and also asked the community people to collaborate with the experts from the organisation that are conducting Home Visits in their households as part of extending ECD services to more households.
In attendance, Harriet Wabaire, who represented the District Education Officer (DEO) of Iganga, urged parents to bring their children to the newly constructed Play Hubs and enable their children to access ECD programmes. The Iganga district LC5 chairperson Ezra Gabula also thanked Nascent RDO-U for the support and improvement of education standards amongst children in Iganga district.
Other Iganga leaders also in attendance were Abdul Kintu, the senior assistant chief administration officer, senior labour officer Abubaker Waiswa, Shakirah Naigaga, the Bulamagi sub-county Community Development officer, Sayid Mukoti, the district Community Development officer, and Godfrey Ntare, the district probation officer, among others.
Last updated on: 22nd November, 2024
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