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International awareness is growing of the importance of the early years in child development, and recognition of deficit standards in the sector. Several governments are responding with policy development and major boosts to funding.
Jamaica
22 June
Prime Minister applauds Early Childhood Commission
Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has applauded the recently formed Early Childhood Commission (ECC) for its work in developing services for screening, referral and early intervention for children with learning and development disabilities.
22 June
Government of Jamaica urged to raise early childhood education budget
On 20 June the Prime Minister spoke at the ECC's regional conference on 'Screening, Referral and Early Intervention.' During this conference, UNICEF urged the government to increase its funding to early childhood education.
3 July
Education Ministry lauded for emphasis on early childhood education
The Ministry of Education and Youth has responded to UNICEF's call for increased early childhood funding with an unprecedented allocation of US$1.7 billion. One-hundred schools will also be repaired under the Enhancement of Basic Schools Project.
27 June
Early childhood officers to train practitioners on new regulations and standards
As part of the shift to the newly decided regulations and standards, the Ministry of Education and Youth will run a workshop to train early childhood education officers in information delivery. These officers will, in turn, train early childhood practitioners to relate new regulations and standards to other stakeholders and the community.
New Zealand
27 June
Boost to get qualified early childhood teachers
28 June
PM unveils $30m for early childhood
The New Zealand Government will provide $30 million in order to attract more qualified teachers in order to boost the quality of early childhood teaching.
The funding is part of a $128 million, four-year plan to provide children aged from three to four with 20 hours of free education.
Malta
17 June
Early Childhood Education and Care document launched
17 June
National policy for early childhood education
The Maltese Government has acknowledged that the early years are crucial in a child's development and that the kindergarten workforce is largely under-qualified.
In an effort to correct this, the Ministry of Education Youth and Employment has published ‘Early Childhood Education and Care: A National Policy' which has been made freely available. There will be a period of consultation to obtain feedback.
The Maltese Government has set up a Quality and Standards in Education Directorate to monitor and ensure high-quality education for all.
Kuala Lumpur
2 July
Govt may introduce early childhood education: Najib
The Kuala Lumpur Government is researching the benefits of introducing a system of early childhood education for two-and-a-half-year olds. The Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak suggested that a pilot project may begin at the end of next year.
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