AVBOB boosts day care in Weilers Farm with over R600k in donations
In commemoration of the 10th year anniversary of the passing of former president Nelson Mandela, AVBOB has recognised the pivotal role that Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase plays in the development of children, the Group anchored the 2023 Mandela Day by mplementing the AVBOB ECD Programme at Little Angels Day Care Centre in Thulamntwana – Weilers Farm and at nine other centres across the country.
They aim to improve the standard and quality of education for pre-school learners in underprivileged communities. The AVBOB ECD Programme seeks to support ECD centres by providing the facilities with operational requirements, training of teachers, learning support materials, meals for the learners and elevating the standard of the institution to achieve registered status with Department of Social Development and Department of Basic Education.
AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet explained that the foundation for education is laid in early childhood development.
Speaking at Little Angels Day Care Centre which received over R600,000 donations, van der Riet said:
“We believe that the care for and education of our young children is the foundation for building a successful country where all can participate and prosper. The foundations laid during this early age will support the years of future learning. Without the early foundation, the education that comes afterwards will not have a secure base. Our children will struggle to achieve their full potential.” Adopting unregistered ECD centres
According to a Thrive by Five Index, released in April 2022, the largest survey of preschool child development ever undertaken in South Africa, there are 1.3 million children aged between the ages of 4 and 5 years. However, an estimated 930,000 (72%) attend the Early Learning Programme (ELP). While 45% of children perform as expected, 27% need to catch up, with 28% falling far behind and requiring intensive intervention at an ECD level.
The objective of the AVBOB ECD Programme will be achieved by adopting unregistered ECD centres and providing them with the support they need to meet the requirements of being registered. By so doing, AVBOB will assist centres with unlocking access to funds that registered ECDs receive from the government and, as such, can be self-sustaining in the medium to long term.
Van der Riet further highlighted: “Caring for our children is a high calling. As our beloved former president, Mr Mandela said, education is the greatest way to change our country.”
The total investment value towards the AVBOB Early Childhood Development Programme is just over R4,8 million, during which time ECD centres will be adopted for two years.
AVBOB is deeply committed to education and continues to support several successful nationwide programmes, including the container libraries, the Road to Literacy campaign giving away portable trolley libraries to primary schools, and the
STEP 12 programme for learners and teachers of Grade 12 languages. Therefore, expanding into ECD centres is a natural extension of the Group’s passion for education.
