2012年-世界发展银行全球_Mauritius_Early_Childhood_Development___SABER_Country_Report_2012_27页_1mb

SABER Country Report on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Mauritius (2012)

Core Content

The SABER-ECD report evaluates the early childhood development (ECD) policies and programs in Mauritius, highlighting the country's strengths and areas for improvement. It is part of a global initiative by the World Bank to assess ECD policies using a structured framework, focusing on three key policy goals: Establishing an Enabling Environment, Implementing Widely, and Monitoring and Assuring Quality.

Main Policy Goals and Key Points

1. Establishing an Enabling Environment

• Legal Framework: While Mauritius has strong laws for healthcare and education, there are gaps in nutrition and child protection policies.
  • No national policy to fortify cereals or staples with iron or other nutrients.
  • No policy to encourage salt iodization.
  • No legal mandate for preschool attendance, though it is being considered.
  • No implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, despite a committee formed to study its feasibility.
• Intersectoral Coordination:
  • The Ministry of Gender, Family Welfare and Child Development (MoGCDFW) coordinates ECD policies for children under 3.
  • The Early Childhood Care and Education Authority (ECCEA) coordinates for children aged 3–5.
  • Coordination between MoGCDFW and other relevant ministries (e.g., MoH, MoSS) is ongoing but could be improved.
• Finance:
  • The government provides free public preschools and cash transfers to private schools.
  • There is near universal enrollment in preschool.
  • ECD budget allocation is based on performance, but lacks a clear formula.
  • ECD spending is tracked in education and social protection, but not in nutrition or health.

2. Implementing Widely

• ECD services are widely available in Mauritius, with near universal coverage in preschool.
• Access to health and education is high and equitable, but more data are needed to fully confirm this.
• There is low inequality in access, but private childcare centers often do not meet quality standards.
• Parental leave policies are in place but could be expanded to better support families.

3. Monitoring and Assuring Quality

• Mauritius collects administrative data, but could expand survey data collection.
• Standards for ECCE teacher qualifications, service delivery, and facilities exist, but are not always met or enforced, especially in private centers.
• Quality assurance mechanisms are not fully developed, and there is a need for regular monitoring and enforcement.

Key Laws and Policies

• Ratified International Agreements:
  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
  • African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999)
• Key Legislation:
  • Child Protection Act (2000): Establishes mechanisms to protect children from abuse.
  • Early Childhood Care and Education Authority Act (2008): Sets up the ECCEA to coordinate ECD for children aged 3–5.
  • Civil Status Act (1981): Ensures universal birth registration.
• Child Protection Services:
  • The Child Development Unit (CDU) within MoGCDFW provides services for pregnant women and children under 3.
  • The Ombudsperson for Children monitors compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Childcare centers provide free services to low-income families.
  • Social protection programs offer monthly cash assistance to poor families with children under 10.

Regional and International Comparisons

• Infant Mortality Rate: 13 deaths per 1,000 live births (Mauritius) vs. 55 (Kenya), 12 (Seychelles), 50 (Tanzania), 63 (Uganda).
• Under-5 Mortality Rate: 15 (Mauritius) vs. 85 (Kenya), 14 (Seychelles), 76 (Tanzania), 99 (Uganda).
• Maternal Mortality Ratio: 22 (Mauritius) vs. 490 (Kenya), 57 (Seychelles), 450 (Tanzania), 440 (Uganda).
• Gross Preprimary Enrollment Rate: 96% (Mauritius) vs. 52% (Kenya), 102% (Seychelles), 33% (Tanzania), 14% (Uganda).
• Birth Registration: 100% (Mauritius) vs. 60% (Kenya), N/A (Seychelles), 16% (Tanzania), 21% (Uganda).

Key Considerations for Improvement

• Legal Framework:
  • Adopt policies for iron and nutrient fortification of food staples.
  • Enshrine the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in law.
  • Consider mandatory preschool for children starting at age 3.
• Intersectoral Coordination:
  • Develop a current, detailed ECD strategy plan that includes education, health, nutrition, and social protection.
  • Improve coordination between CDU and ECCEA to ensure seamless coverage for children.
  • Ensure non-state stakeholders are regularly involved in policy planning and implementation.
• Finance:
  • Use a clear formula for ECD budget allocation.
  • Expand tracking of ECD spending in health and nutrition sectors.
  • Ensure adequate and sustainable financial support for families during the early stages of a child's life.

Lessons from International Examples

• Sweden's Parental Leave Policy:
  • Offers 480 days of paid leave, with 60 days for the mother, 60 days for the father, and the rest flexible.
  • Provides unpaid leave until 18 months.
  • Includes temporary leave for children with illness or disability.
  • Offers pension rights for childcare years.
• Chile's Multisectoral Approach:
  • The Chile Crece Contigo policy is a comprehensive, intersectoral strategy.
  • It includes differentiated support for the poorest 40% of households.
  • Ensures free access to preprimary school.
  • Mandates services for orphans and vulnerable children.
  • Involves stakeholders at all levels of government.

Conclusion

Mauritius has made significant progress in establishing an enabling environment and implementing ECD services widely. However, there is room for improvement in legal frameworks, especially in nutrition and child protection, as well as in quality assurance and monitoring systems. Strengthening intersectoral coordination and ensuring adequate financial investment will be key to achieving optimal ECD outcomes. Drawing lessons from international models such as Sweden and Chile can help Mauritius refine its ECD policies and programs.