UNESCO convenes high-level national policy dialogue to strengthen holistic early childhood care and education in Tanzania

Senior government officials, development partners, researchers, civil society organizations, and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) practitioners convened in Zanzibar for UNESCO's High-Level National Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Holistic Approaches and Practices in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

The dialogue marked an important milestone in Tanzania's efforts to strengthen policies, governance and investments that ensure every child benefits from quality, inclusive and equitable early childhood care and education. The event also reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between UNESCO, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in advancing holistic approaches to children's development.

Opening the dialogue, the Permanent Secretary of Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar, Khamis Abdulla Said, emphasized that the earliest years of a child's life provide the foundation for lifelong learning, health, well-being and productivity. He stressed that investment in Early Childhood Care and Education should be viewed not only as an education priority but as a strategic investment in Tanzania's future human capital and sustainable development. He highlighted that;