Annual Performance Plan 2013/14 - Department of Education

Programme 7: Early Childhood Development
Purpose: To provide Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the Grade R level in accordance with White Paper 5.
Analysis per programme:
The Early Childhood Development programme is a key contributor to the anti-poverty initiatives, conceived as a vehicle to
reduce/eliminate the poverty cycle in disadvantaged communities by ensuring Grade R learners received a solid foundation in
preparation for success in subsequent schooling and adulthood.
The core responsibility of the Early Childhood Development unit is to increase the provision of Grade R and earlier levels in
accordance with Education White Paper 5. The objectives of the programme are aligned to the output goals that relate to grade
attainment and enrolment levels as contained in both the Action Plan of 2014 and Output 3 of the Delivery Agreement to:
a) Universalise access to Grade R
b) Improve public spending on Grade R and other forms of ECD thereby improving the quality
c) Increase the percentage of Grade 1 learners who have participated in an accredited (quality) Reception Program (Grade
R)
The two (2) main priorities are to:
• Establish and sustain a conducive climate for the provision of a quality Reception Programme through the provision of:
A monthly stipend to practitioners towards the management of the Grade R class
Resources (Learner Teacher Support Material, Grade R furniture, Outdoor Equipment)
Grade R resources: Ring-fence allocated budget to meet the funding norms as contained in National Norms and
Standards for Grade R Funding
Audit of Grade R sites
• Fulfill the mandate of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) for the Department of Education regarding Pre
Grade R (0-4 year age cohort):
Accredited National Qualifications Framework Level 4 (NQF Level 4) training to improve the qualifications of Pre
- Grade R practitioners
Provision of a monthly stipend (allowance to promote practitioner attendance to training venues)
Provision of resources (Indoor slides and rockers)
Key Priorities:
The priorities of the programme for the year 2013/14 are:
• Attachment of new grade R classes
• Compensation of Grade R Practitioners
• Transfer funds to schools with Grade R
• Procurement of resources for Grade R classrooms in Section 20 Schools
Sub-programmes:
Sub-Programme
7.1: Grade R in Public Schools
7.2: Grade R in Community Centres
7.3: Pre-Grade R Training
7.4: Human Resource Development
7.5: Conditional Grants
Sub-Programme purpose
To provide specific public ordinary schools with resources required for Grade R and
encourage more schools to establish grade R classes where space exists
To support particular community centres at Grade R level
To provide training and payment of stipends of Pre-Grade R Practitioners.
To provide departmental services for the professional and other development of
educators and non-educators in ECD sites.
To provide for the infrastructure for Early Childhood Development
Annual Performance Plan 2013/14
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