Unicef: For every child

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights and to help them fulfil their potential from early childhood through adolescence. And they never give up.What does Unicef do?Child protection and inclusion: Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and inclusive environment. Unicef works with partners around the world to promote policies and expand access to services that protect all children.Child survival: Every child has the right to survive and thrive. Unicef has helped reduce child mortality all over the world by working to reach the most vulnerable children, everywhere.Education: Every child has the right to learn. Unicef works around the world to support quality learning for every girl and boy, especially those in greatest danger of being left behind.Social policy: Every child has the right to an equitable chance in life. Unicef works around the world to reduce child poverty and shield girls and boys from its lifelong consequences.Unicef in emergencies: Reaching every child in emergencies. Unicef is on the ground before, during and after emergencies, working to reach children and families with life-saving aid and long-term assistance.Gender: Every girl has the right to fulfil her potential. Unicef works all over the world to empower girls and women, and to ensure their full participation in political, social and economic systems.Innovation for children: Innovating to drive results for every child. Unicef works with partners in every sector to co-create innovative solutions that accelerate progress for children and young people.Supply and logistics: Delivering solutions to reach every child at risk. Unicef delivers sustainable access to life-saving supplies where they are most needed, accelerating results for the most vulnerable children.Research and analysis: Using data to drive results. Unicef’s global programmes and initiatives are grounded in rigorous research and thoughtful analysis about the situation of children.Actively involved in ECD and IECD Early childhood is the period from conception through birth to eight years of age. During this period, a child’s brain grows rapidly. This period is critical to the child’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Throughout their early childhood, it is vital that children are given quality healthcare and nutrition, early stimulation, ample opportunities for learning and play, and a safe and nurturing home environment, so that they are better able to fulfil their potential later in life. Those who lack these vital foundational inputs are at risk of not reaching their development potential. To help ensure that no child in Namibia lacks any of these vital inputs, the government offers a combination of services referred to as Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) services. These encompass healthcare, nutrition, early stimulation and learning, early care, civil registration, childcare and protection, and education. In Namibia, IECD falls under the mandate of four ministries. Strengthened coordination is required to enhance their service delivery. 90% of a child’s brain develops before age five.First figureIntegrated Early Childhood Development (IECD)Ministries involved:Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture Ministry of Gender Equality and Child WelfareMinistry of Health and Social Services Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration Spheres:Early learning Parenting and nutrition Child grants Access to services Further breakdown:Education for ages five to eight Play, stimulation and early learning Welfare and grants for ages zero to eight Birth registration and identification documents for all children and parents Health and nutrition for all mothers and children and early identification of disabilitiesUnicef and education ministryUnicef has been supporting the education ministry in its effort to ensure that children in Namibia have access to quality education.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation defines inclusive education as: A process of addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of all children through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education. It involves changes and modifications in content, approaches, structures and strategies, with a common vision which covers all children of appropriate age range and a conviction that it is the responsibility of the regular system to educate all children.Understanding inclusive education When it comes to educational placement in Namibia, there are currently three options: Resource schools (previously known as special schools), learning support classes or resource units within mainstream schools, and inclusive schools. Mainstream schools with learning support classes: There are mainstream schools which have separate segregated learning support classes where learners requiring medium to high levels of support are educated separately, though following the general education curriculum. If a child is able to, he/she will return to the mainstream classes.Inclusive schools: These are schools that welcome and accommodate all learners in the same classrooms regardless of the level of support needed, and all are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Resource schools: These are segregated schools that accommodate children requiring high levels of support. Most of these schools are disability-specific and some follow the general education curriculum. In the case of learning disability, resource schools follow a tailor-made curriculum specific to the child’s learning needs. The role of these schools has now broadened to include supporting inclusive and mainstream schools.

Unicef: For every child

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Republikein 2025-12-16

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Unicef: For every child

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