The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant global impact on education, with one of the most severe effects being the disruption of early childhood education. Schools and early childhood education centers worldwide were closed, affecting millions of young learners. According to a UNESCO report, around 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries experienced school closures at the pandemic’s peak. This widespread disruption raised concerns among educators and policymakers about the state of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
The closure of educational institutions hindered ECCE, vital for cognitive, emotional, and social development during the foundational years. Consequently, the importance of ECCE has become more critical than ever.
In June of this year, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO published a pivotal report on ECCE to readdress its scope in contemporary times This report highlighted the ongoing global learning crisis, revealing a critical issue: unless immediate interventions are made, by 2030, over 300 million children—about 37 per cent of the worldwide population—are at risk of not attaining essential reading proficiency levels.
From COVID to present
Sustainable Development Goal 4 emphasises the importance of inclusive education for all. However, post-COVID, progress towards this goal has significantly stalled worldwide. The report above underscores the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, particularly for children from low-income families and marginalised communities. These groups experienced disproportionate disruptions, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities in access to quality education. The interruption of in-person learning during the pandemic has had lasting effects on children’s developmental progress and literacy, amplifying the urgent need for targeted educational support and reform.
As countries gradually recover from the pandemic and schools reopen, the focus has shifted to addressing the learning losses and inequalities exacerbated during the pandemic. However, the impact on ECCE remains a significant concern. Early childhood experiences are crucial, laying the foundation for all future learning.
Improvements needed
Despite recognising ECCE as essential for driving economic growth, promoting social equity and supporting sustainable development, investments in ECCE still need to be improved to realise its full potential. The sector needs to be more funded and more cohesive. UNESCO mentions that increasing focus and investment in ECCE could transform the future of education worldwide by advancing literacy development during these critical early years. It has thus highlighted that for Sustainable Development Goal 4 to make significant progress, it is crucial to extend the right to education to also include ECCE since implementing legal provisions for free or compulsory pre-primary education can significantly benefit children’s early development.
Currently, no international legal framework explicitly guarantees the right to ECCE. Therefore, establishing a framework is essential for a comprehensive approach to preparing children for school. An international strategy would enable governments and the global community to address learning and well-being challenges more effectively by fostering an integrated ECCE ecosystem that better supports children and their families.
Millions of our children and their needs
Millions of young children, especially in low and middle-income countries, start school without the essential foundational skills they need. In this case, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) further becomes the bedrock of academic achievement, personal growth, and economic advancement. These early skills are crucial for all future learning and for developing vital 21st-century abilities like critical thinking.
Without a strong foundation in FLN in early childhood, children face significant hurdles that can stunt their educational progress and limit their future potential. Thus, incorporating ECCE and FLN paves the way for a more enriched future for children.
The same also benefits students with disabilities. Research shows that about 4 per cent of children until age four face challenges in one or more functional areas. Those with disabilities are 25 per cent less likely to access early childhood education. A holistic, multi-sectoral strategy beyond traditional education can bridge the gap in creating a level playing field and providing tailored educational support to ensure smooth transitions from home to early childhood settings and formal schooling.
A Focus on Foundational Literacy
Emphasising foundational literacy is crucial for advancing global learning and addressing well-being challenges. To achieve this, it is essential to develop an integrated ECCE ecosystem that effectively supports children and their families. A critical intervention within this framework is the standardisation and contextualisation of data, which will enhance our understanding of the diverse ECCE environments and the specific needs and challenges across different regions.
Investing in pedagogical training for pre-primary education and increasing the number of qualified educators are also vital steps. The UNESCO report identifies regions such as Central Asia, Northern Africa, Western Asia, Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as needing new teaching positions more than just replacements.
Furthermore, governments must prioritise and reallocate public funds towards ECCE and foundational literacy to support the most disadvantaged and underserved communities. The Tashkent Declaration of 2022 marks a pivotal moment in international education policy by urging member states to dedicate at least 10 per cent of their education budgets to pre-primary education.
Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that vulnerable children—those impacted by conflict, displacement, migration or historical inequalities—are not denied access to high-quality early care and education. Meeting these needs fosters individual development and brings substantial economic and social benefits.
Future of ECCE and FLN
Improving access to effective learning systems, increasing the number of dedicated pre-primary educators and boosting funding for early education are essential steps toward securing a brighter future for all children. We can promise a more equitable and supportive learning environment that helps every child thrive by addressing these areas.
The future of ECCE and FLN hinges on the ongoing commitment of governments, educators and communities. Investing in early childhood education and addressing learning losses are crucial for ensuring all children have access to the quality education they need to thrive.
Smile Foundation’s Commitment to ECCE and FLN
Smile Foundation recognises the critical importance of ECCE and FLN as important elements in a child’s educational journey. In response to the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have intensified our efforts to address the learning gaps and ensure that every child receives a solid foundation in their early years.
Through its comprehensive ECCE and FLN initiatives, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that supports cognitive, emotional and social development from a young age, ensuring children are better prepared for their future educational endeavours.
Smile Foundation’s programmes are designed to provide equitable access to quality early childhood education, particularly for children from marginalised and underserved communities. By establishing early learning centers and training community educators, we focus on enhancing the quality of early education. These centers are equipped with age-appropriate learning materials and follow a curriculum that integrates play-based and experiential learning, crucial for developing foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. We also work closely with parents and caregivers, sensitising them to the importance of ECCE and equipping them with strategies to support their children’s learning at home.
The Global Push
In alignment with the global push for a comprehensive ECCE ecosystem, Smile Foundation emphasises a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional educational frameworks. This includes advocating for improved policies and increased public funding for pre-primary education, particularly in regions and communities where children face the greatest barriers to access. The foundation’s efforts extend to providing nutritional support, health check-ups and safe learning environments, addressing the multifaceted needs of young learners. By fostering a nurturing environment that supports both the educational and overall well-being of children, Smile Foundation is helping to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and effective early education system.
Through our dedicated initiatives in ECCE and FLN, we are trying for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background, to have the opportunity to develop the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and success.