EARLY
CHILDHOOD
Pre-school and family education in Africa: a means for improving school results and reducing educational and social inequalities
Africa went through a phase that was profoundly marked by a rapid population growth, intensified urbanisation, important social differences, a growing number of non-alphabetised children and the alarming spread of AIDS. Families and small children have been the main victims. UNESCO carries out activities that tackle the issue of health care and education for small children in Africa by strengthening national and regional capacities in the areas of research, training, programming and information, which helps professionals of early childhood to develop solutions that are adapted to the national requirements.
A
network of specialists covering 15 francophone African countries,
the "Early Childhood
Network of Francophone Africa" was launched in 1996.
National
authorities in Africa endeavour to strengthen their own programmes
in favour of early childhood, mainly those that are community-based,
to improve their quality and contents, and to reinforce the training
of the people involved in all activities related to early childhood.
They also hope to make sure that these programmes are aimed at
children between the ages of 0 and 6, rather than just at those
aged 3 to 6; in some cases, they're developing national programs
on early childhood.
As
far as women and the family are concerned, some countries wish
to promote information and training for education on family life
and to consolidate the legislation in favour of women and the
family, but also to put into practice and to teach the Convention
on Children's Rights. In every country, there are a number
of specialists and organizations that are active in the area of
early childhood, the provision of services and the production
of materials.
