Lively Minds’ Post

A comprehensive and very timely report on Early Childhood Care and Education from UNICEF. 60% of children in low income countries do not have access to early care and learning opportunities 6 million more teachers needed 37% of children (>300million) will not reach minimum proficiency levels in reading by 2030 £16bn annual financial gap to achieve national targets for one year of pre primary education https://lnkd.in/ec9d9Q4E Education Development Trust EDTresearch.org

The first ever global report on Early Childhood Care and Education 'A Right to a Strong Foundation' by UNICEF and UNESCO came out last week. It's a really fantastic overview of the importance of education and early learning. See link in comments 👇 The report underscores the crucial role of foundational learning in enabling all children to reach their full potential and actively participate in society. We believe that the key to this is ensuring that children have a voice in shaping their own learning experiences. At the heart of our mission is the belief that children and young people can only meaningfully realise their rights if they actively and effectively participate in decisions impacting their lives and futures, especially in education. Education and child-friendly governance are inherently interconnected. Consultations with children demonstrate this. In partnership with UNICEF, Eurochild, Save the Children International, SOS Children's Villages International and ChildFund Alliance, we conducted an EU-wide consultation with over 9,000 children. The resulting report (see link in comments 👇), "Our Rights. Our Future. The Europe We Want", revealed interesting findings:  💡 Relevance of curricula: Only 14% of children consider school teaching useful for their future, while 51% find it somewhat useful. A staggering 33% do not perceive school learning as beneficial for their future. 💡 Teaching methods: When asked what changes they would like to see in school, children clearly expressed the need for more interactive and inclusive teaching methods:  ➡ 66% desire more freedom to choose study topics.  ➡ 59% seek increased practical learning and skills development.  ➡ 44% want more group work and interactive learning.  ➡ 43% advocate for more time dedicated to learning through play or sports. 💡 Voice: 70% of children seek more opportunities to be heard overall, while 41% specifically desire more chances for students to share their ideas, with nearly half aspiring to be equal partners in finding solutions. The overall message from children is clear: in addition to academic skills, schools should ensure that teaching methods and curricula meet the evolving needs and realities of children and equip them with critical life skills and competencies to support their transition to adulthood.  To do so effectively, it is critical to give students an effective voice in identifying challenges and solutions to ensure that the education system remains relevant and stay fit for purpose.  #Education #ChildParticipation #ChildRights #ChildandYouthFriendlyGovernance UNESCO Tarek Alami Kerry Kassen Katie Rigg Dan F. Sven Schroeder LeAnna Marr

‼️New Global Report by UNESCO and UNICEF Highlights Urgent Need for Investment in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). During my time working with Lively Minds , I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of quality early childhood education. These foundational years are crucial for promoting school readiness, foundational learning, and lifelong well-being. The latest report from UNESCO and UNICEF provides valuable insights into the current state of ECCE and outlines the steps needed to ensure all children have access to quality early education. Key Highlights: Current State: Almost 60% of children in low-income countries do not have access to early care and learning opportunities. Financial Gap: To meet national targets, low and lower-middle-income countries need to fill an annual financial gap of USD 21 billion and recruit at least six million more educators by 2030. Global Learning Crisis: An estimated 37% of the world's children will not reach minimum proficiency levels in reading by 2030 unless immediate action is taken. Policy Recommendations: The report calls for increased investment in ECCE, better training for educators, and stronger policies to ensure all children have the right to a strong educational foundation. It is imperative that we continue work to advocate for and implement the recommendations from this report. Investing in ECCE is investing in our future. Read the full report here:

Building the Foundation: Insights into Early Childhood Education from Christel House South Africa's RR program   In 2022, Christel House South Africa in Cape Town operated its first full year of preschool (Grade RR). The early results of the program were positive, as documented by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). 95% of the Christel House South Africa preschool students mastered the skills appropriate for their age, compared to 91% from a control group of students coming from an established school and higher-resourced homes.    These results, along with the strong research base for early childhood education and the demonstrated need in our communities, contributed to Christel House International adding Early Childhood Education (ECE) to our model. Our approach to ECE provision is driven by the local context; it may be directly provided – as it was in our school at Cape Town – or implemented via partnership or through a community-based model. In addition to our school in South Africa, our other schools in Mexico, India, Jamaica and the US will add this this component slowly. Our as-of-yet-to-be-opened schools will plan to launch with an ECE component.    In a world where education is the cornerstone of progress, the decision to incorporate Early Childhood Education into our K-12 school network was not just strategic but deeply rooted in our commitment to holistic learning and equity in education, recognizing that the formative years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning. #HSRC #mortyballen #davidharris #catilinteague #carolynhaythorn #rainamansukani #sarahweimer #adrimarais #christelhouseSA #vigneshkrishnan  

UNESCO's latest global report highlights the critical role of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in tackling global learning and well-being challenges. The report reveals that only 1 in 3 children worldwide have access to quality ECCE and calls for a significant increase in funding, robust global partnerships, and comprehensive policy reforms. By placing young children at the center of educational policies, the report emphasizes that early investment in ECCE can significantly improve educational outcomes and well-being for children globally. At Sampark Foundation, we are deeply committed to transforming early education. Through our innovative initiatives like Sampark TV and Teach-Easy Kits, we have positively impacted the lives of 1.5 crore rural children across 8 states. By leveraging AI-enabled insights from over 10 lakh data points and guided by our 'Teachers First' philosophy, we ensure that our educational solutions are effective and engaging. Our efforts are dedicated to building a solid educational foundation that prepares young minds for a bright and successful future. Link - https://lnkd.in/ert-M6qE #EarlyChildhoodEducation #TeachersFirst

🌟 Unlocking Potential: International Early Years Programs as Catalysts for Educational Advancement in Developing Countries 🧒🎓 In the ever-evolving landscape of global education, the significance of early years learning as a transformative phase cannot be underestimated. For developing countries, building robust educational systems that lay a strong foundation for children’s growth and development is an imperative task. One pivotal strategy to unlock the potential of early education and elevate standards in these nations is the strategic expansion of international schools and programs dedicated to early childhood education. Explore how early years programs in developing countries are paving the way for brighter futures, empowering children with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 🌍📚 Article link: < https://bit.ly/40nrbZs > #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationalAdvancement #DevelopingCountries #InternationalSchools #EducationForAll #ChildDevelopment #GlobalEducation #EducationalStandards #settingupschools #internationalschools

🌟 Unlocking Potential: International Early Years Programs as Catalysts for Educational Advancement in Developing Countries 🧒🎓 In the ever-evolving landscape of global education, the significance of early years learning as a transformative phase cannot be underestimated. For developing countries, building robust educational systems that lay a strong foundation for children’s growth and development is an imperative task. One pivotal strategy to unlock the potential of early education and elevate standards in these nations is the strategic expansion of international schools and programs dedicated to early childhood education. Explore how early years programs in developing countries are paving the way for brighter futures, empowering children with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 🌍📚 Article link: < https://bit.ly/40nrbZs > #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationalAdvancement #DevelopingCountries #InternationalSchools #EducationForAll #ChildDevelopment #GlobalEducation #EducationalStandards #settingupschools #internationalschools

📢 📢Big news! The first global report on Early Childhood Care & Education is here! Yesterday, UNESCO and UNICEF launched a groundbreaking report on ECCE and our Executive Director Elizabeth Lule was part of it! This report follows through on a commitment made at the World Conference on ECCE two years ago to prioritize early childhood education globally. Here's why it matters: ▶ Investing in early childhood education brings MAJOR social & economic returns. ▶There is progress made, but challenges remain. ▶Millions of children won't reach basic reading skills without immediate action. The report offers solutions, including: ▶Putting young children at the heart of education policies. ▶Increasing funding from domestic & international sources. ▶Strengthening global partnerships. ▶Expanding #RightToEducation to ensure every child thrives. Let's give children the best start by prioritizing early education! #EducationStartsEarly #ECCE #GlobalGoals Photo credit: UNESCO Read the full report ➡ https://lnkd.in/dJcFMa7a

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Last week, countless children and families celebrated the start of a new school year, with many beginning their educational journey at preschool. However, for millions of children around the world, this opportunity remains out of reach. In Ethiopia alone, over 4 million preschool-aged children are out of school and face mounting barriers to starting early education, attending regularly, and staying in school. This concerning reality is exacerbated by significant disparities in learning environments and a severe lack of investment in early childhood education, particularly in rural communities. Addressing these inequities is essential to giving every child a fair and strong start to their education. Why should this concern us? The first five years of life shape who we become as adults. Early experiences profoundly influence how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Early childhood education is not just about learning to read and count; it nurtures empathy, encourages critical thinking, strengthens self-regulation, and fosters the ability to build peaceful relationships. Ensuring access to quality early education is not just an investment in individual children but in the future of society as a whole. Join Early Childhood Education Ethiopia as we work to develop and expand early learning programs and reduce the number of children not enrolled in preschool. Learn: https://lnkd.in/g4FaNyuP #leadingwithchildren #Earlychildhoodeducationethiopia #indigenouslearning #ruraldevelopment