Since I do not have much of luck with international contacts, I researched a webpage: www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/ for this assignment.
As I explored the website, I came across to several topics that appeared foregin to me. I decided to pursue two so-called foregin topics: Coordination Mechanicism and Cross-sectoral Coordination. These information was somewhat difficult to absorb, but I believe I understand the surface of these topics.
Coordination Mechanicism was mentioned under Goverance category in the webpage. Early childhood education does not stop with teachers. It goes further beyond director of the center. ECE involves a lot of different sectors such as regulation, funding, staffing, and many others at national and local levels. An imperative part of this is that it centers on the common vision. To create coordination effectively, sectors work together on one specific task at a time.
Cross-sectoral Co-ordination can be found under Goverance and in an article: Cross-sectoral- Co-ordination in Early Childhood: Some Lessons to Learn by UNESCO Policy Brief on Early Childhood (January 2003, http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001373/137394e.pdf). Because Early Childhood care and Education is the concern of government, education, social, and health sectors, co-ordination becomes necessary function to promote holistic development (UNESCO, 2003). Unfortunately, it is a difficult function even for developed countries at national level. There are so many responsibilities across sectors. Many countries opted integrating into one while others seemed to opt for division--dividing responsibilities based on age group of early childhood. Lastly, some opted for Coordination Mecahanicsm (COM).
A third topic that strike me---a common ground across the world focus on access and quality of early childhood care and education. Access and quality do not merely occur in developed countries but developing countries. It shows that most people across the world share the same vision---high quality and access for all children is important in footing their education.
Now that I have read the information, I realized ECE is not merely a small program. It involves so many people, requires a lot of resources, and is high demanding. Every person who has a role in developing ECE, promoting holistic child-centered, recuriting high quality staff and funding the program has impact on children.
It's a bigger world than I thought.
This program is a great and the website provided so much information that it was so hard to read through everything. But so many people are involved in this program and I think it is great that they are focusing on the whole child and every child no matter the economic status. All children deserve education and the chance to succeed in the classroom and in life.
ReplyDeleteYou provided excellent information. Thanks for the post.