The Role of Support Services for Children (0-5 Years) Growing up in Rural Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying forms of support services and service providers for children 0-5 years obtaining in rural Zimbabwe. The study was carried out in the context of the Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC). Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed. Participants included children, parents, teachers and district level administrators. The rural Zimbabwean communities were Hwange, Binga, Zaka, Bulilima and Mangwe. The study found that support services for children 0-5 years included health, hygiene, education, nutrition and protection. According to parents, teachers and administrators; support was satisfactory in health, nutrition and protection. This was through efforts by government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Support was relatively limited in hygiene and ECD education services. This was due to lack of resources, limited parental knowledge and negative cultural practices. Consequently, parents required to be conscientised on the practices detrimental to child development and activities that strengthen their capacity to draw upon resources for the well-being of their families. There was need for government to offer holistic ECD programmes that provide high quality integrated care, building on parenting skills and advocacy for children. Such programmes cater for the children’s school readiness skills, nutrition, health and psycho-social development.