Kathmandu, December 18

Experts today stressed the need for coordination between ministries and line agencies to ensure overall development of children below the age of five.

Speaking at the consultation progamme on ‘Integrated Early Childhood Right and Policy and Investment’ organised by Parliamentary Members’ Coordination Committee for Early Childhood Development and supported by Save the Children and Seto Gurans National Child Development Service Kunti Kumari Shahi, State Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kunti Kumar Shahi said the new constitution had ensured the rights of all children.

“To further strengthen the rights ensured by the constitution, all ministries related to children need to cooperate and coordinate with each other.” She stressed on the need to invest in children.

“If we do not invest in children now, we will not be able to produce capable human resources,” she said, adding, “This is our greatest challenge.”

She also expressed solidarity on behalf of her ministry for the overall development of children.

Sita Kumari Poudel, coordinator of the Parliamentary Members’ Coordination Committee for ECD, demanded that the government provide health services to children from prenatal to first five years under ECD instead of children from prenatal to first three years.

Agatha Thapa, ECD expert presented a paper on ‘concept and importance of ECD for the overall development of children.’ Dr Kishor Shrestha from Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Development shared some of the best examples of ECD in the world through his presentation ‘Benefits of investing in early learning and development: Some experiences from around the world.’

Member of Parliament Shiva Kumara Gotame also presented a paper on ‘ECD policy and investment’ during the programme.