The future of ECCE in Cameroun. Focus on coordinating mechanisms
Early Childhood is the wealth of a nation. Cameroun with the support of IBE UNESCO is building his future wealth starting by Early Childhood Care and Education. The workshop recently held in october in Yaoundé has been the opportunity to share projects, plans and strategies to develop ECCE In the different sectors: education, care, nutrition, health, social protection. The coordination among the sectors is a paramount pillar of the process. The senior staff of the Ministries and the key persons in NGOs have shared a sound way forward.
Cameroun has started its process of development in an holistic perspective, and the senior staff of all the Ministries involved (Education, Care, Health, Nutrition, Protection) worked together for three days in order to define a common platform to work on Early Childhood.
Common goals have been set; first and foremost the possibility to develop coordinating mechanisms. Coordinating mechanism across ECCE sectors should be established, from the design of the M&E system (selection of indicators, methodology) to the implementation (collection of data from various bodies and providers), to analysis and dissemination (policy information and planning). Various data sources (sector administrative data, special studies, household surveys) will be harmonized and integrated in a unique ECCE database. M&E will be part of the process of policy planning.
Country Coordinating mechanisms have even the role of country-driven, coordinated and multi-sector approach have even the task of involving all relevant partners, including NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, private companies in the provision of ECCE. □ The different sectors must be in continuous communication and sharing values and practices of work in ECCE. An agenda of periodical meeting is a fundamental practice at the foundation of a holistic system. This coordinating mechanisms should guarantee that, in the end, the provision of services must be recognized by the children and the family as unity.
The coordinating mechanism should guarantee the resilience of the system by balancing the best/good practices with the sustainability of the overall ECCE system. In doing this, the authority/coordinating mechanism keeps continuous connections with international agencies and bodies (like UNESCO) and perform a M&E system, the aim of which is the improvement of the ECCE framework.
The communication among different Ministries and with the coordinating mechanisms/authority must be performed through written documents, and in a formal/official way. The documentation of the work, of the decisions, of the minute of meeting is part of the professionality of the staff of the Ministry.
