Education Commission report: preschool and early learning are vital for every child

The Education Commission 国产视频� a group of world leaders and experts 国产视频� has spent a year researching and analysing the state of global education. In a major report published today called The Learning Generation, it warns that hundreds of millions of children around the world will be robbed of their future unless immediate action is taken.

The first few years of a child国产视频檚 life can determine their health, their chances of doing well at school and even how much money they will earn as an adult.

That国产视频檚 why the Education Commission is calling for every country in the world to provide two years of free, quality preschooling to every child.

Its report says nations must prioritise early childhood development and preschool to ensure the building blocks are in place for children to succeed in their education and beyond. It is also a very cost-effective way to improve educational outcomes, rather than spending more later to help children catch up.

By the age of three, 80% of brain development has already happened. A combination of good health, nutrition, stimulation, early learning, education, family care and protection can help a child to develop physically, mentally and socially.

That happens most of the time in the world国产视频檚 high-income countries, where 87% of children go to preschool. But in low-income countries it is only 23%. Despite expected improvements, that is projected to rise only to 42% by 2030 and 54% by 2040.

The Education Commission says its Learning Generation pathway 国产视频� a radical plan to give every child the same education opportunities 国产视频� will see those numbers jump to 89% by 2030 and 99% by 2040.

At the report launch in New York today, UNICEF Chief Executive Anthony Lake said: 国产视频淚nvesting from the earliest days of a child国产视频檚 life is critical to the development of the brain. It is a once in a lifetime chance to build the future of a child 国产视频� no stage in a child国产视频檚 life is more important.国产视频�

The children国产视频檚 charity 国产视频 has been working this year to raise the profile of early childhood development. Campaigns Director Ben Hewitt said: 国产视频淲e welcome the commission calling on world leaders to recognise the importance of ECD in all their programmes and to prioritise funding to the early years to give every child the best start in life.国产视频�

Here国产视频檚 a look at some more of the commission国产视频檚 findings and recommendations around ECD.

Going to a quality preschool programme increases a child国产视频檚 chances of staying in primary school

It also reduces the chances of them dropping out of school or having to repeat grades.

In Brazil, low-income girls who took part in community preschool programmes were twice as likely to reach fifth grade and three times as likely to reach eighth grade than girls who did not attend preschool.

The report says: 国产视频淕ood-quality preschools also improve school readiness and can lead to better primary school outcomes, particularly for poor and disadvantaged students.国产视频�

One country国产视频檚 success story

In 1970, just 3% of children in Ghana had access to pre-primary education. This gradually increased to 51% by 2000. In 2007, the government made pre-primary education free and compulsory for at least two years. As a result, enrolment reached 99% in 2014.

Going to preschool will increase a child国产视频檚 future earnings

The commission lays out this scenario. 国产视频淚f children in low-income countries who start preschool today were to experience the benefits of the Learning Generation vision, over the course of their lifetimes they could expect to earn almost five times as much as their parents 国产视频� a value that would exceed the total costs of their education by a factor of 12.国产视频�

The consequences of poor ECD

Early nutrition, care and stimulation are key to children fulfilling their educational and health potential.

About one in four of the world国产视频檚 children under five has stunted growth and development due to undernutrition. Stunting can adversely affect a child国产视频檚 attendance and achievement at school and can reduce their income as an adult by as much as 22%.

Three million new preschool teachers will be needed

The report says: 国产视频淎 high-quality, well-trained workforce is critical at every stage of education, from early years to higher and adult education.国产视频�

But some countries will struggle to keep up with the demand for teachers, which is expected to double in low-income countries. The overall number of preschool teachers is projected to rise from one million to four million.

Joined-up thinking is needed

Quality ECD programmes need a co-ordinated approach across education, health, nutrition and social protection.

The report says: 国产视频淎n integrated approach during the critical first 1000 days [of a child国产视频檚 life] can improve child development outcomes, ensure more children and families receive services and make better use of resources.国产视频�

Some countries, such as Jamaica, have set up a single governing body for ECD. This is made up of representatives from various government ministries working together to oversee ECD strategy, resources and activities.

The question of money

The commission recommends particular investment in ECD. It says: 国产视频淧reschool should be complemented by wider multi-sectoral interventions to support childhood development, particularly for children at risk.国产视频�

国产视频淭he returns on investing in early childhood in terms of education outcomes as well as adult earnings are very high.国产视频�

Despite the overwhelming evidence about its importance, in 2014 only 1% of overseas development aid for education was allocated to ECD.