The European Union (EU) in Namibia has injected more than N$300 million into early childhood development (ECD) centres around the country. 

EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins made the announcement during the launch of the programme at Mix Settlement, on the outskirts of Windhoek. 

N$262 million will go to the Treasury, and N$60 million will go towards technical assistance, including support actions implemented by Unicef and the World Food Programme. 

N$100 million has already been disbursed to the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare.

Harmony ECD Centre at Mix Settlement was among the centres that benefited from the programme. 

"Let me emphasise that while this new programme builds on the results of previous experience, in this new phase we want to put a special emphasis on the inclusiveness and equity of children from disadvantaged households. We all know that far too many children have no access to ECD or pre-primary education. In fact, less than 25% of the children aged 3 to 4. That is why we want to reach out to the most vulnerable children, for whom access is even more challenging, so that they have equal chances for a good start in life and the opportunity to develop their full potential."

The multi-million-dollar project will enhance access to pre-primary education and ECD facilities and services, expand the number of pre-primary classes across the country, and boost the quality of care and teaching for pre-primary children.

Subsequent disbursements will follow once targets in terms of access, quality, and equity in ECD and pre-primary education are achieved.