Educo just launched its first initiative on early childhood in an effort to contribute to upholding children’s right to survival and development. This collaborative endeavor aims to improve child development workers’ competencies and implement developmentally appropriate Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs in Castilla, Sorsogon.
“The hope is through education. The government should have strong support on education. If ECCD is strong, the children, especially from indigent families, will have hope,” said Atty. Joan Elizabeth Lorenzano-Aquende, Mayor of Castilla.
Seated from left to right: Ms. Imelda A. Abalos, EDUCO Country Director; Atty. Joan Elizabeth Lorenzano-Aquende, Mayor of Castilla; Ms. Micah Denise del Mundo; and, Nicole Andrea Reyes of ECCD Council sealed the partnership through MOA signing held at Fernando’s Hotel, Sorsogon City, June 13, 2017.
During the ‘Training on Early Learning Curriculum’ which was attended by 64 child development workers, Educo, the ECCD Council, and the Municipality of Castilla inked their agreement to collaborate on the said ECCD sub-project, which is part of Educo’s larger Project ENABLE.
Project ENABLE (Ensure a Nurturing, Accessible and Better Leaner’s Education Project) is a three-year (2017-2020) project that aims to build quality, transformative, and inclusive early childhood education by providing material and technical support to 132 served partner public elementary schools in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon in the Bicol Region.
Participants enjoy the dough-making activity during Day 4 of the Training on Early Learning Curriculum for Child Development Workers held in Castilla, Sorsogon on 12-16 June 2017.
During the five-day training facilitated by the ECCD council, child development workers learned how to do early child assessment and design inclusive pre-kindergarten programs for their centers. They were also provided lessons on optimizing classroom spaces. They even practiced constructing learning routines and schedules for children. Photos from the workshop can be viewed here.
This training is only the first of multiple activities under the ECCD sub-project. Educo will be distributing ECCD checklists in the Municipality as well as organize sessions for parents with the ECCD Council on health, nutrition, and positive discipline in the coming months.
Educo hopes that, in three years time, Project ENABLE will be the basis of LGUs to improve their systems, for the welfare of children, and start a culture of excellence not only in Castilla or Sorsogon but the rest of Bicol and the country.
