At least 5,900 early childhood development (ECD) programmes in Gauteng remain unregistered due to difficulties in meeting requirements around zoning, food and fire safety, and basic infrastructure. Gauteng education MEC Lebohang Maile revealed this information at a recent event hosted by basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube. The provincial education department inherited about 7,800 unregistered ECD programmes when the function was transferred from the Gauteng social development department in April 2022.
The department has been working to register these centres through the Bana Pele mass registration drive. Maile stated that 5,900 unregistered ECD programmes are on the department's database after being called to come forward and register. The challenge lies in many centres operating in informal settlements where basic requirements are difficult to meet. These requirements include zoning, food safety, fire safety, and building conditions.
The registration process involves three stages: application, inspection by municipalities, and compliance checks by the department of basic education. Many centres struggle with the second and third stages due to limited resources and infrastructure challenges. Some centres lack reliable access to water or electricity, while others operate from structures that do not meet formal ECD facility requirements.
Minister Gwarube explained that the Bana Pele system recognises different circumstances in which ECD programmes operate while helping them meet legal requirements. The system has different levels of registration, including bronze, silver, and gold. Centres must go through further compliance checks to move from one level to the next. Gwarube emphasised that the goal is not only to register centres but also to enable them to access the child subsidy.
The child subsidy is R24 per child per day and can make a significant difference to centres, especially for parents struggling to pay fees. For ECD practitioners, this support is crucial to run a smooth operation. Emma Matlhola, owner of the Boys and Girls Youth Africa ECD Centre in Diepsloot, shared her struggles in running the centre. Despite operating since April 2016, the centre remains unfunded and relies on money from parents.
Matlhola revealed that the centre operates on a monthly budget of between R13,000 and R16,000, covering teachers' stipends, food, rent, and municipal bills. The centre cannot afford qualified teachers and instead recruits and trains people from the local community. Matlhola previously used her salary from the City of Johannesburg's community development department to support the centre but has struggled financially since resigning in 2020.
The centre is currently waiting for a response to its application for a silver certificate, which would allow it to apply for funding. Maile and Gwarube's efforts aim to address the challenges faced by ECD centres in Gauteng and ensure that they can provide quality services to children while accessing necessary support and resources. ECD centres play a vital role in the development of young children, and addressing their challenges is essential for the province's education system.
Key points
- Many ECD centres in Gauteng struggle to meet registration requirements due to limited resources and infrastructure challenges.
- The child subsidy of R24 per child per day can make a significant difference to centres, enabling them to provide quality services to children.
- The Bana Pele mass registration drive aims to bring ECD centres into the registration system and enable them to access necessary support and resources.
