Science and Technology Deputy Minister Michael Masutha has launched the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Human Development in an attempt to improve research in early childhood development (ECD) and enhance the knowledge available to social policy makers.

The initiative was one of five new CoEs developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation, all of which aimed to promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research among research-performing institutions and provide high-end skills development in priority research areas.

Cohosted by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the research at the new CoE would help to improve decision-makers' understanding of the conditions, dynamics and efficacy of policies among socially and economically marginalised communities in South Africa.

This was of particular importance in view of the overarching Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and continued global efforts to reduce poverty, inequality and discrimination, as well as to promote democracy and human rights.

“This new CoE will combine the multidisciplinary expertise of established scholars with dedicated research groups working on child development.

“The team's diverse strengths will enable a better understanding of the challenges in respect of child development in South Africa, improve the country's ability to address these challenges, and advocate for the most cost-effective interventions to give all children the best possible start in life," Masutha said.

According to the DST, in 2011, 58% of children lived below the lower poverty line of R604 a month, while, globally, 171-million children under five were affected by moderate or severe stunting in 2010 – a clear sign of malnutrition which affected children's physical and cognitive development and capacity to learn.

Current trends indicated that, by 2015, one in four children under the age of five would suffer from stunted growth.

Moreover, research indicated that about 57% of young children in developing countries had no access to preschool – in sub-Saharan Africa the figure was 83% – and children living in the poorest households were up to ten times less likely to attend early childhood education programmes than those living in the richest households.

President Jacob Zuma had declared ECD a national priority in 2004 and directives had been issued for municipalities to include ECD planning in their integrated development plans. 

Since then, the 2005 National Integrated Plan for ECD had been published and the 2007 Children’s Amendment Act had been passed, strengthening government commitment in this area.

UKZN deputy vice-chancellor and College of Humanities head Professor Cheryl Potgieter said the university welcomed the opportunity to cohost the CoE with Wits.

“Partnerships are the cornerstone of the development framework and essential in mobilising support and investment. In line with the MDGs, the centre will focus on human capacity, particularly economic participation and health, which will contribute significantly to enhancing and empowering the youth and, ultimately, all South African citizens,” she added.