2013年-世界发展银行全球_The_Gambia_Early_Childhood_Development___SABER_Country_Report_2013_22页_1mb

Summary of The Gambia's Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy and Implementation

Core Content

The Gambia's early childhood development (ECD) policy and implementation are analyzed in this SABER-ECD Country Report (2013). The report outlines the country's current status, policy goals, and key policy levers to strengthen ECD systems. The Gambia is a low-income country with a population of 1.88 million, a Human Development Index (HDI) ranking of 165th, and 48% of its population living below the poverty line. A significant portion of the population—nearly half—is under 18 years of age, with approximately 300,000 children under five. The report emphasizes the need for a coordinated, multisectoral, and financially sustainable approach to ECD to ensure quality, equity, and accessibility.

Main Policy Goals

The SABER-ECD framework identifies three core policy goals for ECD:

1. Establishing an Enabling Environment
2. Implementing Widely
3. Monitoring and Ensuring Quality

These goals are essential for creating a comprehensive and effective ECD system that supports children's development from birth to age eight.

Key Policy Levers

1. Establishing an Enabling Environment

• Legal Framework:

  • The Gambia has national laws such as the National ECD Policy Framework (2009–2015), Children's Act (2005), and Women's Act (2010).
  • These laws promote maternal and child health, mandatory birth registration, and parental leave policies.
  • The Domestic Violence Act (2011) ensures protection for children and includes provisions for child courts.
  • The Food Act (2005) and Salt Fortification and Iodization Regulations (2006) promote healthy dietary practices, especially for pregnant women and young children.

• Intersectoral Coordination:

  • A National ECD Working Group (NWGECD) has been established to coordinate ECD efforts across sectors.
  • The National Commission for Children oversees ECD policy implementation and is accountable to the Office of the President.
  • The Institutional Multisectoral Working Group on ECD includes over 30 agencies, NGOs, and religious institutions.
  • However, there is no detailed costed implementation plan, and roles and responsibilities of stakeholders are not clearly defined.

• Finance:

  • Current financial allocations for ECD are insufficient to ensure full coverage, quality, and equity.
  • The National ECD Policy Framework outlines a funding basket, but it lacks transparency and coordination across ministries.
  • Most ECD programs are funded by external donors, such as UNICEF, World Bank, and Japanese Social Development Fund.
  • Preschool educators in community settings often receive ad hoc or in-kind support, and their remuneration is inadequate.

2. Implementing Widely

• Scope of Programs:

  • ECD programs are present in health, education, nutrition, and social protection sectors.
  • However, there are gaps in coverage, especially in rural and poorer areas.

• Coverage:

  • The net preprimary enrollment rate for children aged 3–6 years is 27.3%, which is lower than regional peers like Ghana (76.3%) and Sierra Leone (7%).
  • Birth registration stands at 53%, below the regional average, and is not universally enforced.

• Equity:

  • There is significant inequality in access to ECD services, particularly for children in remote and disadvantaged areas.
  • Programs are expanding but remain limited in scope and reach.

3. Monitoring and Ensuring Quality

• Data Collection:

  • Administrative and survey data on ECD access are collected annually, with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education publishing access data in May.
  • However, the system lacks comprehensive mechanisms for tracking service quality and outcomes.

• Quality Assurance:

  • Preprimary curricula have been developed, but there are no standardized quality assurance mechanisms.
  • The impact evaluation of community-based versus annexed ECD services is ongoing, but results are not fully utilized to improve policy and practice.

Key Findings

• The Gambia's ECD policy is emerging, indicating progress but also highlighting the need for further development.
• Legal and policy frameworks exist but lack costed implementation plans and clear funding mechanisms.
• Intersectoral coordination is present but not fully institutionalized.
• Financial investment in ECD is inadequate and not transparently managed.
• Service coverage is uneven, with rural and poorer areas receiving less support.
• Quality monitoring systems are underdeveloped and require strengthening.

Recommendations

• Develop a costed implementation plan for ECD to ensure efficient and appropriate spending.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including the NWGECD and National Commission for Children.
• Specify ECD spending within overall ministry budgets and ensure sufficient and equitable funding.
• Strengthen data collection and monitoring systems to assess service quality and outcomes.
• Promote universal coverage and equitable access to ECD services, especially in underserved areas.
• Enhance intersectoral coordination and institutional capacity to support ECD implementation.

Regional Comparisons

Conclusion

The Gambia has made strides in establishing a legal and institutional framework for ECD but faces significant challenges in financial investment, coordination, and quality assurance. The country is at an emerging stage of ECD development, requiring further support to transition to an established or advanced level. Strengthening the enabling environment through a coordinated, financially sustainable, and equitable approach is essential for improving outcomes for young children and their families.