On December 19, 2024, SEAMEO CECCEP successfully
hosted the launch of the Policy Brief on Early Childhood Development in
Southeast Asia, the GEMBIRA Parenting Module, and the Anaking App. This event
aimed to raise awareness about the Policy Brief, Transition Module, and Anaking
Mobile Application. It also served as a platform to facilitate dialogue among
stakeholders to strengthen ECCE policies and practices. The event was attended
by heads of education departments, university leaders, public service units,
and other partner organizations.
The event was officially opened by Indonesia’s
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu'ti, M.Ed., who
praised the initiative for producing impactful tools that benefit early
childhood and primary education. Prof. Mu'ti outlined the government's 13-year
compulsory education policy, emphasizing its importance in building a strong
future generation.
“We understand that primary education, preschool
education, and even education starting in the womb are crucial. Research shows
that children who receive learning experiences before formal education exhibit
better intellectual resilience and mental preparedness in higher levels of
education. Equally important is family education, which serves as a
foundational pillar,” Prof. Mu'ti added.
He highlighted the significance of maternal
education, which initially focused on supporting mothers' roles in parenting
without overlooking fathers' contributions. Parenting, he noted, plays a vital
role and requires attention due to numerous cases of child abuse, often
perpetrated by the parents themselves.
Providing age-appropriate educational tools is
essential, especially when it comes to technology use. Excessive gadget use, he
warned, not only impacts physical activity but also hampers children's social
interaction and learning opportunities.
Prof. Mu'ti expressed his hope that the products
launched would be accessible, user-friendly, and part of a collective movement
to foster quality early childhood education. He emphasized that these resources
should serve as valuable tools for parents and children, starting from the
womb. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the “Right to Copy,” making
these resources accessible to the public and widely used in both formal and
non-formal educational forums.
He reaffirmed the Indonesian Ministry of Primary
and Secondary Education’s commitment to providing quality ECCE services as part
of the national education agenda. This commitment aligns with Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) 4.2, which aims to ensure all children have access to
quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. ECCE is
regarded as a vital first step in building a superior future generation, with a
focus on enhancing education quality through innovative programs and collaborations.
In his speech, Prof. Mu'ti emphasized the
importance of active participation from all stakeholders to achieve accessible
quality education for every child in Indonesia, as mandated by Article 4,
Paragraph 6 of Law No. 20 of 2023, which underscores the community's role in
delivering and controlling the quality of education services.
The Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, Prof. Vina
Adriany, Ph.D., expressed gratitude to the Directorate of Primary and Secondary
Education. She highlighted that the program outputs include a Policy Brief on
Holistic-Integrative Early Childhood Development.
The first output, the Policy Brief titled “Holistic-Integrative
Early Childhood Development (HI ECCE) in Southeast Asia,” provides a
summary of recent insights supported by in-depth data and analysis. It aims to
contribute significantly to fulfilling the essential rights and needs of young
children, reflecting the ethos that "raising a child takes a
village." The document includes best practices, challenges, issues, and
policy recommendations relevant to HI ECCE development in Indonesia and
Southeast Asia.
The second output, the Parent Education
Module for a Joyful Transition from ECCE to Primary School, is part of
the ECCE-Primary School Transition Movement. This module supports collaboration
between parents and schools during this crucial transition period, ensuring
continuous stimulation for children. Named GEMBIRA (Gerakan Membimbing Anak
Bersiap ke Sekolah or Movement for Guiding Children to Prepare for School), the
module emphasizes positive and participatory communication between parents,
children, and teachers. This approach ensures that children transition into
primary education with readiness and joy.
The third output is the Anaking App,
designed to support understanding of early childhood development. This app
provides reliable information about child development dynamics, family
education, and early childhood parenting. Emphasizing collaboration, the app
serves as an inclusive and practical resource that respects Indonesia’s social,
cultural, and economic diversity.
Jhon Arnold Siena, Deputy Director of SEAMEO
Secretariat, reiterated SEAMEO’s commitment to achieving universal access to
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). As outlined in SEAMEO's "Seven
Priority Education Areas," the first point is “Achieving Universal
Access to Early Childhood Care and Education.” Over the years, SEAMEO
has worked tirelessly to support its member countries in ensuring that all
children, regardless of their socio-economic background, geographic location,
or abilities, have the opportunity to access quality early childhood programs.
In his remarks, Jhon Arnold also expressed his
support for these innovative tools, calling them a testament to SEAMEO CECCEP’s
commitment, expertise, and vision in supporting all ECCE stakeholders to foster
optimal early childhood development. He expressed confidence that these
products, addressing critical aspects of early childhood care and education,
would have a lasting impact on the region.
The event also featured a talk show on the topic “Strengthening
Holistic-Integrative ECCE through Parental Engagement Policies and Digital
Innovation.” The first session's speakers included Woro Srihastuti
Sulistyaningrum, ST., MIDS (Deputy for Quality Improvement of Children, Women,
and Youth at Kemenko PMK); Amich Alhumami, MA, M.Ed, Ph.D. (Deputy for Human
Development, Society, and Culture at BAPPENAS); Dr. Lovely Daisy, MKM (Director
of Nutrition and Maternal and Child Health at KEMENKES); Komalasari, M.Pd.
(Director of ECCE at the Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education);
Nugroho Indera Warman (Education Specialist at UNICEF Indonesia); and Ith Vuthy
(Deputy Program Director at SEAMEO CECCEP).
During the talk show, speakers highlighted the
importance of cross-sector collaboration and synergy in strengthening HI ECCE.
Komalasari emphasized the critical role of partnerships between health
departments, education departments, and Kemenko PMK in driving the
transformation of holistic-integrative early childhood education. Meanwhile,
Dr. Lovely Daisy stressed the need for early intervention before pregnancy, as
many couples fail to plan for pregnancy, leading to risks associated with early
or late pregnancies. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring mental and
physical well-being during pregnancy for optimal child development.
In the second session, Nugroho Indera Warman
underscored the significance of supporting exclusive breastfeeding, maternity
and paternity leave, and assistance for underprivileged families. He also
emphasized that parenting practices are closely tied to individual behaviors,
with each parent adopting unique approaches to child-rearing based on their
context.
This launch event, a culmination of a year-long
collaborative effort between the Directorate of Primary and Secondary
Education, SEAMEO CECCEP, and Tanoto Foundation, was made possible thanks to
the contributions of various stakeholders, including KEMENKOPMK, BAPPENAS,
KEMENPPA, regional education departments, PDM 09 Directorate of Primary and
Secondary Education, UIII, and numerous writers and designers. This
collaboration serves as a tangible commitment to nurturing the next generation
of the nation.