The National Multi-sectoral Early Childhood Development Programme (NM – ECDP) spanning 2021/22 to 2025/26 seeks to accelerate early childhood development gains by enhancing the multi-sectoral approach to young children’s nurturing care. This programme supports a coordinated approach putting into action various laws and policies relevant to ECD including the Law of the Child Act (2009), Child Development Policy (2008), Education and Training Policy (2014), and Health Policy (2007), to address the holistic developmental needs of children aged 0 – 8 years. The Programme calls upon all key government actors across there levant sectors, development partners and civil society organizations to work together to ensure all children (aged 0–8 years) in Tanzania experience nurturing care, thrive and achieve their developmental potential.
The NM-ECDP recognizes the work of existing national programmes that take a multisectoral approach to key aspects of child development and looks to leverage on these programmes including the National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan II (NMNAP II 2021/22-2025/26) and the National Plan of Action to End Violence against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC 2017/18-2021/22). In addition, the NM-ECDP is guided by the third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP - III) 2021/22 - 2025/26 which focuses on “Realising Competitiveness and Industrialisation for Human Development”. The NM-ECDP is fundamentally aligned to this national development plan by the fact that it focuses on investing in human development from the early years (starting with conception) to develop the strongest foundation for a child to become a healthy, responsible and productive adult, who will in turn effectively contribute to Tanzania’s development.
