The Department of Social Welfare in Ghana has trained 33 daycare attendants and school caregivers in the Eastern Region to enhance childcare standards and strengthen child protection. This nine-week program, which combines classroom lessons with practical training, aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and quality care for children. The training is a requirement under the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), which mandates the Department to license, regulate, and inspect daycare centers.
According to Mr. Isaac Koramoah Asante, the Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, the training is crucial for caregivers, especially daycare attendants, who are responsible for children during a critical stage of their growth and development. The program covers essential topics such as child development principles, first aid, emergency management, and laws governing child protection. Mr. Asante emphasized that effective training is vital to ensure that caregivers can provide proper care and protection for children.
The training program consists of six weeks of classroom lessons and three weeks of practical work in selected schools. During the practical sessions, headteachers monitored the participants, while officers from the Department assessed their application of the knowledge and skills acquired. Mr. Asante described the program as a “purely practical-based course” designed to give caregivers the competencies required to care for and protect children properly.
The program is open to all caregivers and parents interested in improving their childcare skills, with daycare attendants and caregivers working in schools as the main target group. Upon completion of the program, the participants were awarded certificates at a graduation ceremony organized by the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Department in Koforidua. The ceremony marked the successful completion of both stages of the program.
Ms. Elorm Amudzi, one of the graduands, described the training as educative and engaging. She emphasized that operating a daycare center involves more than teaching children, but also creating a home away from home for them. Ms. Amudzi encouraged teachers and other caregivers working in daycare centers to participate in similar programs, highlighting the valuable lessons learned on child development and effective ways of handling children.
The Department of Social Welfare's initiative aims to strengthen child protection and improve childcare standards in the Eastern Region. By equipping caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills, the program seeks to provide a safe and quality care environment for children. The training program is a step towards ensuring that daycare centers are regulated and inspected to protect the welfare and development of children.
The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Department organized the graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievement of the 33 caregivers who completed the training program. The ceremony brought together stakeholders, including headteachers, caregivers, and officials from the Department of Social Welfare. The program's impact is expected to be felt in the region, as trained caregivers return to their centers to provide improved care and protection for children.
Key points
- The Department of Social Welfare trains 33 caregivers in Eastern Region to improve childcare standards.
- The training program covers essential topics such as child development principles and laws governing child protection.
- The program aims to strengthen child protection and improve childcare standards in the Eastern Region.
