Early Childhood Educare Policy: What Does the Educational Renewal Strategy (ERS) Suggest? A National Education Policy Investigation (NEPI) Paper.

In May 1990 the Minister of National Education announced an Education Renewal Strategy (ERS) for education in South Africa, developed in conjunction with other governmental departments, to seek short- and medium-term managerial solutions for some of the nation's most pressing educational needs. The ERS advances five major policy recommendations for a future education model: (1) race should not be a factor and equal opportunity should be assured; (2) national unity should be promoted while respect for diversity is ensured; (3) a balance between national regulation and local autonomy should be maintained; (4) the future constitution of South Africa should allow for a decentralized education system unified at the national level, with accountability at both levels; and (5) responsibility for the new model should be shared by national and local government, teacher organizations, parent groups, and other interested parties. In the specific area of early childhood educare, the ERS recommends that distance education should be encouraged through the funding of suitable preschool television and radio programs and the development of instructional video programs to train adults to assist in the early childhood learning environment. It also recommends that a bridge program be developed for children not yet ready for the first year of schooling. (MDM)