Myanmar launches early childhood care, development policy

Yangon, July 9: Myanmar has launched its first multi-sectoral policy on early childhood care and development(ECCD) to enable children get a better start in life and for the better future of the country.

President U Thein Sein stated that the future of children depends on the implementation of ECCD activities, which are not just about the quantity but also the quality of services, Xinhua reported citing the state media.

Daw Myat Myat Ohn Khin, minister of social welfare, relief and resettlement( SWRR), stressed at the launching ceremony the need to fully cooperate with development partners for achieving the vision, mission and objectives collectively agreed upon for children.

The SWRR ministry pledged to inject 28 percent of its budget in ECCD services instead of only 10 percent, while the education ministry is committed to spending 12 percent of its budget in early pre-school and kindergarten education in place of low-level investment.

UNICEF emphasized the importance of investing in early childhood, saying investment in ECCD is the most cost-effective way for national development as it could yield high economic returns and break the cycle of poverty.

IANS