Emphasizing the importance of early child development in overall development in later stages of life, President Yadav said early child development should not be treated as some sort of charity, and instead be considered a fundamental right for children.
"It is sad that the lives of children are under threat due to conflict in the country," rued Yadav, also lamenting the problems posed by poverty and illiteracy.
Executive Director of the Research Center for Educational Innovation and Development (CERID) Professor Arbind Lal Bhomi also stressed the importance of ECD, citing researches conducted by the University of Georgia and the University of Chicago.
He cited Professor Keith Osborn from the University of Georgia whose research concluded the development of a child from birth until the age of four is equivalent to the development between 7-18 years, while also attributing a research by University of Chicago which showed that about 50% of mental development is attained by four years, another 30% in the next four years and completed by 18 years.
Dipesh Shrestha
Speaking in the inauguration of the two-day convention, Country Director of UNICEF for Nepal Gillian Mellsop lauded the support received by the ECD program in Nepal, but also pointed out that much still needs to be done in the sector.
