In December 2022, President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Republic assented to the new Early Childhood Development (ECD) Act 2022, providing the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) with a legal basis to operate as a Category 2 Centre for Early Childhood
Care and Education (ECCE) under UNESCO. The objective of this new legal framework is to align the IECD Act of 2014 with more modern criteria and obligations set by UNESCO, enabling the Institute to enhance its capacity to provide technical assistance and support to other countries.
As part of its sensitization campaign on the new ECD Act 2022, IECD conducted several sessions with partners and stakeholders to ensure their understanding of the new law and prepare them for upcoming changes. The first session, held on January 23rd at Care House with IECD’s Management and Staff, was facilitated by CEO Mrs. Shirley Choppy, Mr. Selby Dora, and Ms. Amelie Nourrice. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the IECD Board, Captain David Savy and Mrs. Sonia Mancienne, respectively, were also in attendance.
Following this, a series of sessions were conducted in March on both Mahe and Praslin with registered childminders, registered childcare service managers, and partners and stakeholders from various sectors such as the Ministry of Education, Department of Social Affairs, Public Health, Health Care Agency, Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, Family Department, Employment Department, and District Administrators.
Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and clarify any issues they had with the new law. Some of the concerns raised were regarding the repercussions of offenses committed by childcare service providers, the appointment of inspectors, and the readiness of children before entering crèche.
In a statement, CEO Mrs. Shirley Choppy emphasized the importance of the sessions and stated, “We believe that this sensitization campaign has been essential to ensure that all partners an stakeholders are aware of the new ECD Act 2022 and are ready for the changes that it will bring.”
