ZINECDA

Early Childhood Development Network advocating for inclusive policies and increased access to early childhood development foundation for all children in Zim

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

Exciting News!🎉

Join @zinecda in celebrating launch of the Zimbabwe Early Learning Policy; a significant step towards providing equitable & inclusive early learning opportunities for all children.Let us empower our little ones & unlock their limitless potential.
#EarlyLearning

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda webinar Spotlight: Commemorating International Day of Play in Zimbabwe!

Let’s celebrate the power of play in early childhood development!
Join our ongoing webinar series as our panelists share insights on how we can promote learning through play—from policy and curriculum to community learning and creative play spaces.

📷 Meet Our Panelists:
Dr. Abdoulie FR Jadama — Executive Director, the Gambia National ECD Network & Lecturer, University of The Gambia
Dr. Fambasayi — Co-Founder & Executive Lead, CREA Ti Children’s Museum
Chabikwa Blessing — Deputy Director for Mathematics, Sciences & ICT, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education

Click on the below link to join.
https://t.co/Inbe3y7z4Z

#InternationalDayOfPlay
#IDOP2026
#RightToPlay
#PlayChangesEverything
#PlayForEveryChild

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

#Fridayvibes

WEBINAR | INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY IN ZIMBABWE

This year’s webinar is focused on celebrating the International Day of Play and strengthening our commitment to children’s right to play.

Theme: “Protect play, protect childhood”

Meet our panellist: Ms. Yvonne Tagwireyi (Public Policy Specialist)

📅 11 June 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM CAT

Register now on the link below and don’t miss the conversation—because when children play, they learn, grow, and thrive!

Join us for this reflective session as we celebrate the annual *International Day of Play* with a focus on Zimbabwe. The 2026 global theme is *protect play, protect childhood*

We will explore the science and magic of play, traditional play as part of heritage based learning and legal obligations and potential gaps in implementing the right to play in Zimbabwe. We collectively foster a platform for evidence-based dialogue on the barriers to play and policy shifts we urgent require.

https://t.co/Inbe3y7z4Z

#ZINECDA
#InternationalDayOfPlay
#ProtectPlayProtectChildhood
#EarlyChildhoodDevelopment
@rogerfedererfdn

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

You’re invited!

Join us for a Webinar to celebrate the International Day of Play in Zimbabwe.

Theme: “Protect play, protect childhood”

📅 11 June 2026

⏰ 10:00 AM (CAT)

Register now and be part of the conversation on how to protect children’s right to play—today and for the future.

✅ Scan the QR code or register using the link below!
https://t.co/Inbe3y7z4Z

#InternationalDayOfPlay #ProtectPlayProtectChildhood #ECD #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Zimbabwe #ZINECDA #ChildrenFirst

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

#Tuesdaymotivation
If you haven’t yet watched our YouTube discussion on education financing in the SADC region, with a specific focus on ECDE/Early Childhood Development, we kindly invite you to watch using the link below.
In the discussion, we cover key insights on how countries in the SADC region are financing education—from early childhood through to higher levels of learning—what is working, and what still needs strengthening to ensure every child receives quality education and support.
Watch, like, comment, and share the video with your friends, colleagues, and partners.

Your feedback and engagement are important to help us keep pushing for better education financing for ECDE and beyond.

https://t.co/wOpQjyf4rc

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda attended the Fourth Edition of the National Education Summit Zimbabwe (NESZ 2026) at the Lakeside Gardens in Bulawayo, bringing together stakeholders under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Driving Innovation and Investment in Zimbabwe’s Education Systems.”
Officially opening the summit; Deputy Minister of MoPSE Angeline Gata stressed that policies alone do not educate a child, calling for accountability, learner-centered: systems, special needs inclusion, and affirming that no child should be sent home over fee disputes.
The summit focused intensively on “Retooling Educators for the Future,” with powerful consensus that continuous professional development (CPD) is not optional but the bedrock of national transformation.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police noted children are criminally accountable from age 7, promoted Childline 116 for abuse reporting, and demanded strong safeguarding policies.
@zinecda successfully advocated for Early Childhood Development (ECDE) to be at the centre of the foundation of all education reforms, including infrastructure, teacher training, and foundational learning.
#NESZ2026
#InvestInEducation

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda attended the National GAWE (Global Action Week for Education) Commemorations in Chiredzi, at Chiredzi Government High School, calling on Government and the private sector to prioritise and ring-fence a dedicated percentage to fund education—from ECDE through to higher grades.
During the commemorations, ZINECDA donated paint for an ECDE classroom block and signage for Mukume Primary School in Mwenezi District, the beneficiaries of 2026 GAWE donations.
This year’s GAWE commemorations were held under the theme “Hold the Flame High! Invest in Education, Transform Lives.”
Speaking at the event, the ECOZI Board Chair, Ms. Madyirapazhe, urged partners, the business sector, and Government to increase investment in public education.
@MoPSEZim which officiated the event, through the permanent secretary Mr. Moses Mhike, commended the strong partnerships between schools, parents, local communities, the private sector and the business sector as key to educational success.
Mr Mhike encouraged schools to work closely with communities to ensure the effective and flawless implementation of education programmes.
He also promised to prioritise Mukume Primary School as a target beneficiary for Government support in next year’s budget for Independence celebrations.

The 2026 GAWE commemorations also coincided with the 2025 Secretary’s Merit Awards. During the ceremony, Chiredzi Government High School and Hellen McGhie Primary School were recognised for their performance, through entrepreneurship initiatives and school projects.

Mr Mhike, officially commissioned two brand-new buses for the award-winning schools—Chiredzi Government High School and Hellen McGhie Primary School.
He commended innovative projects including greenhouse and open-garden vegetable farming, goat rearing, and free-range poultry (including ducks, guinea fowl/road runners, and turkeys).
The Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) focuses on applying knowledge and skills to produce goods and services that meet society’s needs.

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda represented by Director Marceline Kahlari, Mr. Sheunesu Mutsau from @MoPSEZim & @rogerfedererfdn are attending the Forum: “Investing in the Early Years—A Global Technical Financing Forum”, taking place 6–8 May 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The forum’s shared message is clear: “Together, we can unlock financing that will translate evidence into budgets and budgets into services for young children and their families.”

It further calls on governments and partners to commit to accountable, transparent spending in early childhood development, emphasizing that results-driven investment is the only way to turn global commitments into lasting local impact for the youngest learners.

The forum will also highlight how financing for ECD can be expanded without compromising quality, equity, or other essential services.
While the returns from investing in young children are substantial, they are long-term, extend across multiple sectors, and benefit society as a whole rather than individual investors. For this reason, Early Childhood Development requires deliberate financial structuring to bridge existing gaps—because the focus is not only on integrating systems, but also on integrating accountability.

In addition, the Roger Federer Foundation (RFF) and its SRI partners are sharing best practices from SRI projects across different countries, encouraging public-private partnerships through coordinated efforts involving government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector stakeholders.

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

International Workers’ Day commemorates the contribution of workers worldwide.

Under the theme “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment,” @zinecda recognises and appreciates all ECD professionals and supporting workers who nurture children and strengthen communities.

May workplaces be spaces of respect, mental wellbeing, and sustainable support.
#InternationalWorkersDay #PsychosocialHealth #QualityEducation

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

International Workers’ Day commemorates the contribution of workers worldwide.

Under the theme “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment,” @zinecda recognises and appreciates all ECD professionals and supporting workers who nurture children and strengthen communities.

May workplaces be spaces of respect, mental wellbeing, and sustainable support.
#InternationalWorkersDay #PsychosocialHealth #QualityEducation

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

Teachers are central to quality education.
During the Global Education Week campaign; Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors called for stronger financing for teacher recruitment, support, training, retention, and decent working conditions across the education system.
There is no strong public education system without teachers.Investing in teachers means investing in transformation, quality, and equity.
#HoldTheFlameHigh
#FundEducation
#InvestInTeachers
#publiceducationmatters

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

Early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning.

Today, @zinecda calls for stronger public financing so that every child can access quality early learning from the start.
A strong start matters. Financing early childhood education is one of the best ways to build more equitable
education systems.
#HoldTheFlameHigh
#FundEducation
#EducationFinancing
#SDG4QualityEducation
#publiceducationmatters

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

Education systems need sustained and predictable financing.

Today, @zinecda & partner organisations are calling for stronger support for education through official development assistance and multilateral cooperation.

Protecting aid to education matters, especially where public systems face heavy pressure. Secure ODA for
education and support a strong global partnership for learning.
#HoldTheFlameHigh
#GAWE2026
#supportgpe
#SDG4QualityEducation
#EducationForAll
#MultiplyPossibility

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

Global Action Week for Education 2026 starts today.
This week @zinecda & education movements across countries are raising one message: Hold the Flame High for education financing.

Investing in education transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds a more just future.

Education is a right, not a privilege.

As GAWE 2026 begins, this is the moment to call for stronger public financing for education and for real commitment to inclusive, equitable, quality education for all from Early Childhood Development.
#HoldTheFlameHigh
#GAWE2026
#FundEducation
#publiceducation
#SDG4

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda is attending the World Forum on Early Care and Education 2026, currently taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The forum brings together over 700 participants from 40+ countries, and ZINECDA is represented by its Director, Marceline Kahlari.
The event features keynote speakers, plenary sessions, and breakout discussions focused on child development, health, child protection, nutrition, advocacy, childcare, and children’s rights.

Through this platform, ZINECDA aims to learn and adopt global ECDE best practices, advocate for regional ECDE priorities, forge international partnerships, and influence policies that uphold every child’s rights.

This ongoing experience reinforces that early childhood development is a global priority, and reaffirms ZINECDA’s commitment to translating these insights into tangible action for children.
#ECDE
@rogerfedererfdn
@WorldForumECE
@OxfamDanmark
@MoPSEZim

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

The (Transnational Networks Advocacy Capacity strengthened for improved ECDE legislation, policies and measures in Southern Africa (TRANAC) Alliance, in collaboration with the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the SADC Secretariat met from 27-29 March 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana and conducted a Statutory Meeting of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes, held under the theme “Leveraging SADC Protocols on Education and Employment to Build Resilient and Inclusive Human Capital for the Future.”
The meeting brought together parliamentarians from across Southern Africa to deliberate on strengthening regional commitments to inclusive human capital development.
Key among the priorities discussed was expediting the adoption of the Child Rights Protocol, which is critical for strengthening the protection and promotion of children’s rights in ECD across the SADC region.
The ZINECDA Alliance used the platform to advance its advocacy priorities and facilitated a learning event on climate-change-resilient ECD systems and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, emphasising the need to invest in inclusive, responsive, and resilient ECD systems that can withstand climate shocks while ensuring equitable access and quality learning for all children.
@MoPSEZim
@mpslswzim
@elru_co_za
@UNICEFZIMBABWE
@ZANEC_Official
@rogerfedererfdn
@OxfamDanmark
@Oxfam
@GlobalECD
@globaleducation

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

#mondaymotivation
Empowering Future Generations!
This Women’s Month, we celebrate the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
As we advocate for the rights and justice of women, let’s remember that nurturing our girls starts in early childhood. By ensuring equitable access to quality education and support, we empower the next generation to break barriers and achieve their dreams.
#IWD2026
#EmpowerGirls
#EarlyChildhoodDevelopment
#RightsJusticeAction

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda is actively participating in the ongoing Joint Monitoring Visits (JMVs) in Bulawayo and Manicaland provinces. These visits are assessing progress of the implementation of the Smart Tablet for Early Learning Assessment (STELA), tracking resource utilisation, engaging with schools and district officials, and identifying gaps affecting Early Childhood Development & Education (ECDE) delivery.
Findings highlight significant implementation gaps, underscoring the urgent need for concrete enforcement of existing ECDE policies, enhanced budget prioritisation for early learning & improved adherence to established education standards.

@zinecda calls for deliberate government action to ensure that commitments to ECDE are transformed into consistent, system-wide improvements that advance both quality and equity in early learning.
#earlymomentsmatter

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

#ThursdayThoughts
Reflecting on International Children's Day of Broadcasting
@zinecda we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all children have access to safe and age-appropriate media.
📷As digital content continues to grow in influence, it’s essential to create programming that nurtures early childhood development.
Join us in advocating for better, more responsible content that protects and enriches the lives of our future generations!
#ProtectOurKids
#SafeguardingInMedia
#InternationalChildrensDay

[ZINECDA @zinecda]

@zinecda is concerned with the recent loss of young lives reported by @PoliceZimbabwe . These recent tragedies remind us how fragile early childhood is and how much safeguarding matters.
Applying the Nurturing Care Framework can help prevent such tragedies such as:
Security & Safety: Secure or fence off hazardous water bodies; cover or empty containers (buckets, drums) immediately after use.
Responsive Caregiving: Never leave infants or toddlers unsupervised. Use caregiver rotations or trusted neighbour watch systems while parents complete chores.
Early Learning: Teach age-appropriate water awareness and simple safety behaviours to older siblings and children.
Good Health & Emergency Preparedness:
Train caregivers in basic first aid and make emergency numbers visible; ensure local clinics and rescue services are informed about high-risk sites.
Adequate Nutrition & Wellbeing: Support caregivers (especially mothers) with community childcare options so children are not left alone during essential tasks.
#NurturingCare
#ChildSafety
#CommunityAction