The national and international multi-stakeholders meeting for three days in Morogoro resolved that Tanzania’s National Child Development Policy of 2008 be reviewed to address myriad shortfalls in it, including lack of sufficient provisions on the issue of Early Childhood Development (ECD).

The stakeholders include key players in child development affairs namely: the Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Community Development; President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government; Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; the UNICEF; the WHO and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

The Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Community Development Sebastian Kitiku proposed the resolution on Day Two of a three-day workshop (July 10-12, 2024) the Early Childhood Development (ECD) research team at Ifakara Health Institute, led by the project’s Principal Investigator Dr. Ester Elisaria, is hosting in Morogoro, Tanzania, to disseminate findings from their latest study aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of ECD systems in Tanzania.

The research findings on ECD system analysis presented at the dissemination workshop by Dr. Elisaria and her team triggered the need to review the Policy to reflect on the components of nurturing health care: nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, safety and security.

“I propose that the multi-stakeholders present here resolve to review the National Child Development Policy to, among other things, ensure that it also addresses ECD issues,” proposed Kitiku.

Following the resolution, on the last day of the workshop July 12, 2024, the stakeholders officially launched the review by developing a concept note drafted by a select group led by Kitiku and presented for initial discussion by the Assistant Director for Child Development Affairs in the Tanzania’s Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Mathias Haule. 

The multi-stakeholders also agreed to form a secretariat of experts that will coordinate and foresee the review process, mainly with the majority of members drawn from the attendees of the Morogoro dissemination workshop. 

About the study and the workshop

The ECD study, whose results were disseminated on the first day of the workshop, is a collaborative effort between Ifakara and Mathematica INC, generously supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, focused on evaluating and improving finance, governance, collaboration, and policy environments within Tanzania’s ECD framework.

"This workshop is the culmination of extensive research and collaboration," Dr. Elisaria emphasized in her presentation. "Over the past months, we have engaged stakeholders from Monduli, Dodoma, Nachingwea, and Ilala to gain insights crucial for shaping the future of early childhood development in Tanzania."

The proceedings commenced with a comprehensive presentation on the ECD landscape in Tanzania, followed by study findings highlighting both challenges and opportunities identified during consultations with government officials, private institutions, NGOs, and community leaders across the targeted regions. The research underscored systemic barriers such as inadequate funding, fragmented governance structures, and the need for enhanced policy coherence.

Joining Dr. Elisaria in a key presentation was her colleague, Farida Katunzi, who described the measurement framework, methods, and results.

Lively discussions, breakout sessions

Attendees engaged in lively discussions and breakout sessions to delve deeper into the study’s implications. Participants exchanged perspectives on potential interventions and strategies to address identified gaps in policy formulation, governance effectiveness, and financial sustainability within Tanzania's ECD space.

"The findings presented today provide a roadmap for meaningful change," remarked a representative from the Ministry of Community Development. "It's imperative that we leverage these insights to drive policy reforms and foster stronger partnerships across sectors."