Positioning Early Childhood Development as a Sustainable Development Goal Target in the South Asian Context

• In Event: 3-151 - Developmental Science and Pathways to Sustainable Early Childhood Development: Implications for UN Sustainable Development Goals

Integrative Statement

Introduction
This paper is proposed in the context of the recent inclusion of ECD as a target (4.2) for measuring progress on SDG Goal 4. While celebrating the acknowledgement internationally of this critical domain for lifelong development, we argue for its positioning not only as important for Goal 4, i.e. the education goal but also for many other SDGs and discuss the need for it to be acknowledged as a priority across sectors. In this context, we draw upon the significant contribution of multi-disciplinary developmental science research, which has paved the way for more evidence-based advocacy at the international level for inclusion of the ECD target in the SDGs. Out paper aims to highlight some of the systemic challenges in operationalization of this indicator and alongside the emerging socio-political realities in South Asian countries.
Methods
In this context, we examine briefly the preceding policy and programmatic provisions that have been in place internationally and examine how these have influenced the conceptualization and operationalization of ECD in the South Asian context. We move on to unpack the construct of ECD as articulated in terms of its sub domains and examine the significance and challenges of monitoring both quality and effectiveness of each of these sub domains. Within this context, we draw upon the existing research and developmental activities in ECD from India and other countries in the region which have been an important evidence for planning provisions in their country context.
Results
While looking at the parallel and vertical governance structures and systems in place for the social sector and the neo-liberal policy environment, we analyze the implications of these for ownership and support of this holistic and integrated indicator and the need for coordination and convergence in planning, implementation and monitoring of this target across sectors. This analysis highlighted the need of ensuring availability of robust measurement tools and systems as a key requirement for monitoring SDGs internationally and the need and complexity therein to balance standardization and uniformity of indicators with the significant cultural and social diversity integral to the countries within the South Asian region. In this context, while looking at some of the significant research initiatives as mentioned above, we identify how planning such studies would be useful in the context of monitoring of the SDG target 4.2. For instance, the longitudinal India Early Childhood Education Impact (IECEI) study, looked at the composition of quality in preschool education in terms of its impact. Similar longitudinal studies in diverse contexts are required to be planned to explore the quality factors and validate the same in specific country contexts for better understanding of the quality in ECD.
Implications
In the concluding section, we highlight some essential recommendations that may be needed to make the United Nations 2030 Agenda a success. Some of these may include instituting a rights’-based approach; outcome-based monitoring; regulation and accreditation of quality; integrated interventions; capacity building, particularly in developing early learning and development standards and complementary assessment measures; and strengthening community-based practices.

Authors

• Meenakshi Dogra, Ambedkar University Delhi
  Presenting Author

• Venita Kaul, Ambedkar University Delhi
  Non-Presenting Author