Launch of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Books. Association of ECD in Malawi

Today the Daycare Manager and I were invited to attend the launch of the first ECD textbooks written for the Malawian ECD Curriculum. They are published by Dzuka, a branch of the Times Group. The whole event was covered live on Times TV. So far there are ten text books out and ready, three for Maths, three for Language and three workbooks, for English, Language and Maths, and the first of three books dealing with the Environment. There will be three for Environment but only one of these is actually available at the moment. The other two will not be long. Other subjects are being planned e.g. Geography. They cover the age groups 3-4. 4-5 and 5-6 years. We sat under a thin white canopy which filtered the sun a little but it was hot. The programme included prayers, speakers, demonstrations by Care Givers and children of how the books can be used and what children can learn from them. It was pointed out that the potential for making the most difference is with the small rural CBCCs which currently have few or no resources. However there is no budget for distributing the books to such users. Approaches have been made to various NGOs for help and funding for distribution, but it appears there are no concrete plans as yet. The books are well presented children’s workbooks linked to the Malawian ECD curriculum. However when I asked how they were linked to the curriculum, whether to the Early Learning and Development Standards or to something else, the man from the publisher was unable to tell me. They have shiny covers and colour pictures and would be a fabulous addition to poorly supplied schools. However they are 6800MK each (£2.72). This is quite a lot for Malawi. They are intended to be used by individual children, so a school the size of ours with, I think it is, 167 children would need 167x 10 books each year at 6,800 MK equals 11,356,000MK which is roughly £4500.00. This is totally unrealistic for us and relatively speaking we are a wealthy school. However there may well be some very useful teaching material in there and we are privileged to have access to a photocopier, so one complete set would probably be a sensible purchase. We were presented with 4 booklets today, all beautifully wrapped in gold paper with a silver bow. I was pleased to note that the children who were involved in the activities also received a wrapped book each, blue for boys and pink for girls! We heard speeches from the Chief Commercial Manager of Times Group, the Publishing Manager of Dzuka, a couple of Care Givers, The Executive Director of the Association of ECD in Malawi and the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Gender in Malawi. After his speech he cut a ribbon across the front of the bookcase displaying the textbooks. We all sang and cheered and then snacks and fizzy drinks were served to all. I have never enjoyed a Sobo Cocopina more ! It was very hot. We left quite soon as we had to go to DAPP and pick up a bale of clothes for the sponsored children. This was quite a red-letter day for the Daycare Manager who has been waiting for the money to be able to do this for a couple of months and some of our little ones are badly in need of clothes. She was very happy when she staggered out of the shop with the bale. The Driver helped her of course! Then it was back to the CC for a couple of interviews with senior staff. I am still in search of information for my training review and talking individually to staff is proving to be quite illuminating, and I have only had three such chats so far. I am looking forward to more!