Preschool caregivers graduate with certificates
24 Preschool care givers from Preschools around DAPP Chilangoma Teachers Training College (TTC) in Blantyre participated in a two week training on Early Childhood Development (ECD). The 24 care giver from 17 preschools around Chilangoma TTC being trained under DAPP’s preschool project which aims at reducing absenteeism, dropout rates and increasing preschool enrollment rates were awarded certificate after the completion of the training.
Chief Child Development Officer Mrs. Pauline Simwaka from the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, was the guest of honor, said “the transition program being implemented by DAPP is helping government’s dreams of transforming the education sector in ECD’s”
Mrs. Simwaka further commended the work chiefs are doing in the country as they act as advocates of development in the communities. “Chiefs are custodian in the community and they work with NGO’s and Government to enhance development in their areas. I encourage them to keep doing that” she concluded.
Also present at the function was Chief Gundo who assured DAPP and government representatives that they will make sure that these caregivers are getting the support needed from them and the community members to fulfill their goal. “As chiefs, we have the responsibility to make sure that the communities are educated inorder to eradicate illiteracy in our communities.” Said the chief.
Representative of the Care givers at the graduation, Cecilia Manyungwa, a care giver at Jumbe Pres-school who hells from Chapepa Village, Traditional Authority Kumthembwe said they will go home with more experience, they have learned many strategies on how to teach the children in the pre-schools.
“Thank you DAPP for organizing the training” she said
Gibson Abner DAPP representative and Project leader for the project said it is necessary to train the Caregivers since they are the torch bearers for the leaners.
“Apart from this training, every month, we organize a refresher course for the care givers. We have also trained the community on Pass-on Loan systems where the communities are given animals like pigs as an Income Generating Activity for the pre-schools” he said.
DAPP Malawi has been working with preschool caregivers since 2014 to ensure pupils are well equipped for a smooth transition into primary school
