Conclusions: Where do we stand and how do we move forward
By: Tarun Varma
Tags: Early Childhood Education, Insights, Covid 19, Perspective, Reflections

This article is the conclusion of our four article series in early learning and childcare post covid. Read the introduction to the series here.

In the course of one of our conversions Joan Lombardi, famous for reshaping the tables around which early learning is discussed, began the conversion by saying “I am here to build for the future. Teaching and learning is not going back to where it was after the pandemic.” This comes from someone who recognizes the power of prenatal education and supporting parents, child nutrition deficits, has a perspective of work across the halls of public schools in the US to the back alleys of New Delhi. It echoes what former governor of India’s Central Bank Raghuram Rajan says “society needs a new equilibrium in our communities…” because the business of early childhood care takes place there.

“I am here to build for the future. Teaching and learning is not going back to where it was after the pandemic.” Joan Lombardi, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, USDHHS

Where do we go from here?

There are positive shifts that have happened in early learning in certain countries that give us hope for the future. For the first time, India has included early childhood education in their National Education Policy. This suggests a prioritisation of early learning. In South Africa, a COVID-19 response job stimulus package included early childhood education workers for the first time. These budget line entries into national policy are game changing.

How we shift systems to enable a 9.7 billion planet will be crucial to our future

These changes happen over time when coalitions of people, organizations and players come together. The early childhood space needs to work with wider coalitions. Jobs in early childhood address youth unemployment. Since a large share of these jobs usually go to women this gives them a pathway for development and a voice. Both the youth and gender movements are coalitions headed towards a fairer and better empowered planet.

In addition, we are already in or are fast approaching a world where four to seven year olds grow up around multiple devices. Technology is a tool for parental education and can fill gaps such as language, ease of access, sharing creations with a large group with ease. How we use a tool which is now a large part of our culture means important things for learning.

Finally, coalitions and technology throw into focus how the usually inert political economy is shaken by a crisis. As multiple parts of society have felt the shock of the pandemic, the shared challenge of young children at home has been a great equalizer. Solutions that can be provided at different levels of cost, show impact on children and build trust with parents will win.

If we can capitalize on the engagement we have with parents we can create systems that can last for generations. This paradigm shift of focus on care is a massive economic and social opportunity. Developing the builders of tomorrow is an asset that will generate massive returns for any nation or region willing to invest in its youngest people.