RightStart ECD programme to build futures from the start

The Government has officially relaunched the RightStart Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme to strengthen early learning and address gaps identified in the initial 2019 rollout. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS), UNICEF, the European Union (EU), and other stakeholders.

Early start

MEIYSAC Minister Sanet Steenkamp emphasised the importance of early interventions, noting that while teachers enter a child’s life later, much of the brain’s architecture has already been shaped by parents, caregivers, and community members — the child’s first teachers. Through the RightStart programme, she said, every adult in a young child’s life will be empowered with knowledge and tools to guide their development positively while respecting cultural traditions.

“Parents are key allies in supporting learning at home, partnering with schools, and advocating for quality education services,” Steenkamp said, adding that these efforts can only succeed if well-coordinated across communities. “Let this relaunch spark momentum across all 14 regions. Let it lead to action at every ECD centre, every home, every village. Because when we give our children the right start, we build the right future and bring an end to learning poverty in Namibia.”

Despite progress over the past decade, many Namibian children particularly in remote areas still lack access to structured early learning and adequate support during their formative years. The relaunch is seen as a timely intervention to accelerate progress towards Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, highlighted the consequences of missed early childhood opportunities, including malnutrition, stunting, and developmental delays that can compromise a child’s potential. “But timely interventions, promoting maternal nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, and family-based learning have proven to be powerful cornerstones of child development. Our focus is on ensuring that children thrive by age two through family-based ECD interventions. Safety and protection services will also be enhanced to prevent violence against children,” she said.

In addition, a pilot school feeding programme for ECD centres will be rolled out, targeting an estimated 39,000 children across the country, further supporting child nutrition and development.

Essential services

Addressing another critical issue, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, noted that unregistered children face barriers in accessing education and healthcare and risk becoming stateless. “Our ministry has prioritised bringing services closer to communities to ensure all children are properly registered. We currently operate 65 offices nationwide, including 14 regional, 26 subregional, and 25 hospital-based offices. The hospital-based offices are particularly important, as they ensure immediate birth registration before the mother is discharged,” she explained. Iipumbu further highlighted legislative measures, including the Civil Registration and Identification Act and the Regularisation of the Status of Certain Residents of Namibia Act, which aim to strengthen civil registration and protect children at risk of statelessness.

With these combined interventions, the RightStart relaunch signals a decisive step toward ensuring that every Namibian child receives the support, care, and opportunities they need to thrive from the very start.

Maggie Forcelledo Paz