There are, however, encouraging success
stories such as that of the United Kingdom.
(UK). Since 1997, the UK Government has
invested unprecedented levels of resources to
achieve fundamental change in ECD programs,
although only after considerable political
debate and controversy. According to Beverley
Hughes, Minister of State (Children, Young
People and Families) for the UK, the key to the
government's success was the policy design
based on the principle of progressive universalism.
This principle is based upon the universal
provision of ECD programs — to virtually all
4 year olds and about 96% of 3 year olds in the
UK — within which there is a targeted focus on
disadvantaged children.21
Canada needs to take ECD much more seriously.
We need to provide political support for
ECD initiatives that offer quality programs
including family literacy programs. Adequate
and sustained funding for such initiatives will
be crucial if we are to achieve political and
social goals such as reducing the proportion of
the population in poverty, improving equity
in literacy and income, enhancing upward
mobility, reducing violence, and improving
public health. Simultaneously, the long-term
impact of ECD initiatives such as family literacy
will translate into significant public and private
economic benefits, with returns far exceeding
the costs.
References
|