Thrive by Five Index 2024 Launched: Shaping the Future of Early Childhood Development in South Africa

Big news coming out of South Africa this week! The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has just launched the Thrive by Five Index 2024, a major survey looking into the development of pre-school children. This sounds incredibly important, as the information gathered will be used to shape the future of early childhood development programmes across the country.

The launch event, spearheaded by Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, took place earlier today and marks the release of a huge dataset. The Thrive by Five Index is the largest survey of its kind in South Africa, focusing specifically on the outcomes for children before they even start school. It’s being coordinated by DataDrive2030 with support from various organisations, including the FirstRand Foundation and The LEGO Foundation.

Why is this so vital? Well, understanding how young children are developing *before* they enter the formal education system is crucial. It allows the DBE and other stakeholders to identify areas where support is needed and to tailor early learning programmes to better meet the needs of all children. It’s all about giving every child the best possible start in life.

You can catch up on the latest news and updates from the Department of Basic Education on their official Twitter feed: https://x.com/DBE_SA/status/1964965545146794408. For more education news from around the world, keep an eye on SchoolClick’s news section.