Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Zanzibar government has announced that its Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan for children under five is nearing completion.
The initiative, which is a milestone, is expected to strengthen the implementation of the National Child Development Policy and support both local and global development priorities.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Ms Abeida Rashid Abdallah, disclosed this while officiating at a stakeholder workshop at Jambiani.
The event was organised by the Zanzibar Planning and Delivery Bureau (ZPDB) under the President’s Office in collaboration with the ministry.
Ms Abeida said the ECD plan is anchored on five pillars healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, child protection and responsive parenting.
She explained that these pillars directly align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and Goal 3 on reducing child mortality.
“This programme is vital because it ensures every child receives proper care, good health, adequate nutrition, protection and early learning opportunities all essential for unlocking their full potential,” she said.
Deputy PS for Academic Affairs in the Ministry of Education, Dr Mwanakhamis Adam Ameir, highlighted challenges such as children struggling with basic skills due to missed early education opportunities.
She said teacher training in early childhood development is being scaled up, while nutrition awareness is being prioritised to counter unhealthy food sold in schools.
From the health sector, Deputy Director of Preventive Services, Dr Fatma Kabole, raised concern about maternal mental health but commended improvements in hospitals and healthcare centres under President Hussein Mwinyi’s administration.
UNICEF child protection specialist Ahmed Rashid Ali emphasised the economic returns of investing in ECD, citing research showing that for every shilling invested, seven are gained. He revealed that 18 per cent of children in Zanzibar suffer from stunting, while 40 per cent miss key developmental milestones.
ECD Programme Coordinator at ZPDB, Dr Maryam Issa, added that the programme targets 276,000 children by 2030 with services in health, nutrition, protection and education. Plans include introducing child-friendly spaces in markets, hospitals and schools, alongside training community health workers.
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