EFA Goal 1: Early childhood care and education; Asia ... - Unicef
EFA Goal 1: Early childhood care and education; Asia ... - Unicef
EFA Goal 1: Early childhood care and education; Asia ... - Unicef
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6 Conclusion<br />
It is clear that countries in the region have achieved significant progress in acknowledging high<br />
quality ECCE as an urgent <strong>and</strong> inclusive step towards achieving the <strong>EFA</strong> goals. However, major<br />
challenges still continue to plague such efforts. Less than four years remain to accelerate progress<br />
towards these goals. There is a plethora of information from neuroscience, the social sciences <strong>and</strong><br />
other fields to indicate that investment in ECCE is a sound <strong>and</strong> strategic way to ensure the holistic<br />
development of children <strong>and</strong> to obtain significant returns <strong>and</strong> results (Heckman, 2008). It is critical<br />
at this stage to translate these findings into evidence-based policy <strong>and</strong> increased public awareness<br />
through advocacy <strong>and</strong> strong capacity building in multiple sectors (Kim <strong>and</strong> Umayahara, 2010). It is<br />
our hope that some of the recommendations outlined in this document can be prioritized, with a<br />
sense of urgency <strong>and</strong> based on strategies for specific national priorities <strong>and</strong> needs.<br />
<strong>EFA</strong> <strong>Goal</strong> 1: <strong>Early</strong> Childhood Care <strong>and</strong> Education<br />
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