Dodoma- 10 February 2025;
As part of efforts to strengthen early childhood development (ECD) systems in Zanzibar, the National Multi-sectoral Early Childhood Development Program (NMECDP) Coordination Team recently conducted a three-day learning visit to Mainland Tanzania. The visit aimed to enhance understanding of program design, coordination, and implementation, drawing lessons from best practices.
The delegation included representatives from the Office of the President – State House, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and key development partners such as Save the Children and D-tree.
As part of the visit, the team engaged with the Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN), a leading platform for unifying ECD stakeholders in Tanzania. TECDEN played and still plays a crucial role during the development and implementation of the NM-ECDP.
"As we engage with the delegation from Zanzibar, we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening multisectoral coordination and policy advocacy to enhance the quality of Early Childhood Development. The exchange of knowledge and practices is vital in ensuring that we build robust systems that cater to the holistic development of our children. And TECDEN remains committed to providing our full support and engagement in the development of National Multisectoral Early Childhood Development program. We believe that through collaboration and shared knowledge, we can build robust systems that ensure every child has access to a nurturing environment that fosters their potential." Mwajuma Rwebangila TECDEN Executive Director.
Through this engagement, the delegation explored TECDEN’s approaches in stakeholder coordination, policy advocacy, and programmatic interventions that align with the National Multisectoral ECD Programme (NMECDP 2021/22 – 2025/26).
"We are in Dodoma for a three-day visit to learn how our colleagues initiated and implemented the National Program for Early Childhood Development Programme (NMECDP) 202/22 - 2025/2026." Dr. Ibrahim Kambole
He emphasized the importance of creating supportive environments for children, noting:
"As we understand, when a child is born into an enabling environment, protected, nurtured, and receives quality early education, they will have a promising future, perform well academically, and become a self-aware individual; this is the resource to manage our nation."
Dr. Kambole also highlighted President Hussein Ali Mwinyi's directive: "The President has instructed us as an institution to ensure we coordinate this matter to achieve success more rapidly."
The visit is part of a broader effort to implement the vision of H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, who has emphasized the importance of robust early childhood development systems. By leveraging cross-learning opportunities, Zanzibar aims to enhance the coordination and effectiveness of its national ECD agenda.
TECDEN remains committed to fostering strong partnerships that drive impactful change in the lives of young children across Tanzania and beyond.