On December 2, 2025, the Ifakara Health Institute joined experts from the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, sectoral ministries, and development partners in Morogoro to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions on the newly developed Early Childhood Development (ECD) Scorecard. The training aims to equip regional representatives with the knowledge and skills needed to guide councils nationwide in effectively using the scorecard.

The ECD Scorecard—developed through a commission by the Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN) in collaboration with the Ministry, has been under development since late 2023. Ifakara, represented by Dr. Ester Elisaria and Farida Katunzi, has been providing technical expertise in identifying and refining the indicators that will be used to monitor the performance of mother–child service delivery across the country.

During the Morogoro training, participants were introduced to key and the standardized approach the scorecard brings to assessing early childhood development interventions. Government specialists, sectoral experts, and ECD stakeholders engaged in practical sessions designed to strengthen skills in data collection, interpretation, and reporting.

Following this TOT, the trained regional representatives are expected to cascade the knowledge to Social Welfare Officers in all 184 councils across Tanzania from December 2–6, 2025. This national rollout will ensure that every council is equipped to use the scorecard to monitor progress, identify gaps, and support evidence-based planning for child development services.

According to ministry officials, the ECD Scorecard will significantly improve coordination of MMMAM interventions and enhance the government’s ability to take timely action to strengthen environments that support early childhood growth and wellbeing.

Through this initiative, the Ifakara Health Institute reaffirms its commitment to strengthening early childhood systems in Tanzania. By working closely with TECDEN, the Ministry, and other partners, IHI continues to support data-driven solutions and collaborative efforts that improve the quality of services and ensure every child has the best start in life.