In Kiribati, following a survey in 2017 which revealed major challenges to childhood health and development, Government initiatives were created to support young children to achieve their full potential. This project will conduct a fresh survey to compare data, and work to improve early childhood development outcomes for children in Kiribati.
Kiribati is one of the world’s least developed countries. Its children are some of the most marginalized worldwide, living in isolated communities subject to the impact of climate change with impending displacement.
This project will collect critical nationwide census data on 3-5-year-old children about their health and development, home learning environments, and early childhood education experiences.
It follows a 2017 census – the Kiribati early Human Capability Index (Ki-eHCI) – which was undertaken with support of the local communities and international development funding. Developmental data was collected on almost 8,000 children across 21 islands, representing approximately 80% of all children in this age group. Using a mixed method approach, data was collected from a combination of preschool teachers and care-givers, using a survey questionnaire and interviews.
Results highlighted major challenges to children’s health, including high rates of stunting and undernutrition, and wide variation in levels of parental engagement, preschool participation and overall child development.
In response, the government formed an Early Childhood Policy and Planning Team as a parliamentary working group with international stakeholder support. The subsequent National Early Child Development Policy, drafted by the Ministry of Education, was informed by country-wide community consultations, high level interviews, a mapping study and situational analyses.
The policy’s aim is for young children to achieve their full potential through continuous support by caregivers, community and stakeholders to their overall development, congruent with human rights, through well planned strategies, actions, and services.
By undertaking the Ki-eHCI as an ongoing monitoring opportunity, this project could also support and inform the evaluation of new early childhood development and early childhood education policies and any new investments in the sector.