MOES (2025) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION POLICY

Book Description

FOREWORD The Government of the Republic of Uganda recognises that Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes offer a strong foundation for quality education and lifelong learning.

It is therefore important that all children are nurtured through a regulated ECCE with a safe, supportive and caring environment that enables children to grow into healthy, secure, and confident individuals, equipped with the competencies and capabilities to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Over the years, Government has put in place various policy and legal frameworks to promote equitable access to quality education services for all Ugandans at all levels.

Notable among these are the Government White Paper on Education (1992) and Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act, Cap 247.

Under section 10 (1) (a) of Cap 247, pre-primary education is the first level of Uganda’s four-level education system.

However, despite its importance, this foundational level has for long lacked a clear and coherent policy to guide its operations.

Accordingly, Cabinet in May 2024, approved the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy.

The ECCE Policy provides a holistic framework to guide and harmonize the activities of all stakeholders involved in ECCE service delivery.

To operationalize this Policy, my Ministry developed detailed Policy Implementation Standards and Guidelines.

These standards and guidelines facilitate implementation of policy actions by all actors in the delivery of quality ECCE.

It is, therefore, my honour to officially present the Early Childhood Care and Education Policy to guide all aspects of ECCE service delivery in Uganda.

I urge: all Ugandans; Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs); Local Governments (LGs); Development Partners; Private Sector Actors; Civil Society Organisations; and communities to embrace this Policy and actively contribute to its implementation.

Together, let us build a strong foundation for our children, and the future of our nation.

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