The Pedagogical University (UP) launched, this Friday, July 3, the Early Childhood Development Observatory and the Scientific Journal of Early Childhood Development, two initiatives aimed at strengthening the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge about children, supporting the formulation of evidence-based public policies, and improving the quality of early childhood programs in the country.
The Observatory was first conceived in 2023 and is intended to serve as a permanent platform for the collection, organization, and sharing of data on early childhood, bringing together researchers, public institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners in a multisectoral approach that integrates areas such as education, health, nutrition, and social protection.
Its main activities include developing research priorities, creating a national data repository, producing evidence to support child development programs, publishing a scientific journal, and organizing a biannual symposium dedicated to disseminating studies on the situation of children in Mozambique.
The Observatory’s digital platform is now available to the public and will be managed by the Center for Gender and Child Studies at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of UP-Maputo. The organizers now hope to mobilize more partners to expand the database, fund research, and strengthen the training of researchers specializing in this field.
The ceremony also served to launch the first issue of the *Journal of Early Childhood Development*, a biannual scientific publication that includes eight articles written by researchers and partner organizations, as well as an executive summary on the situation of children in Mozambique.
According to officials, the journal aims to transform the experiences developed by universities, civil society organizations, and public institutions into scientific knowledge, promoting the dissemination of best practices and innovative research methodologies related to childhood. With this publication, UP now has twelve scientific journals.
Rector Highlights the Need for Early Investment in Children
On this occasion, the rector of the Pedagogical University, Jorge Ferrão, argued that investing in early childhood means investing in the country’s future, emphasizing that children’s development must be a central pillar of public policy.
“When we talk about a country’s future, we inevitably start by thinking about our children. Any event we organize for our children is an opportunity to reflect on the country,” said the official.
The scholar explained that the creation of the Observatory is part of an institutional strategy aimed at generating scientific knowledge to support policymakers, and he emphasized the need to translate data and research into concrete actions to improve the education system.
The university president also cited the results of the most recent regional study by the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ), according to which the learning levels of Mozambican students declined from about 63% in 2013 to less than 40% in 2023. “These results lead us to question whether or not we are intervening early enough with our children. Perhaps part of the answer lies precisely here, in early childhood,” he emphasized.
Addressing the scientific community, he argued that both the Observatory and the journal must remain active on an ongoing basis. “It’s not enough to create something; you have to keep it alive. It’s not enough to launch journals; you have to sustain them with serious, regular, and relevant research,” he stressed.
Government Considers Early Childhood a National Priority
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Secretary of State for Gender and Social Action, Abdul Razak, stated that early childhood is a national priority, emphasizing that the first years of life are crucial for children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
“The early childhood period represents a window of critical opportunities for children’s health, learning, development, and social and emotional well-being,” he said, adding that about 90% of neural connections are formed by the age of six.
The official emphasized that the Executive Branch has been strengthening policies in the areas of maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, early childhood stimulation, and preschool , noting the adoption of initiatives such as the Third National Plan for Children (2025–2034) and announcing that the National Strategy for Preschool Education is expected to be approved later this year and take effect in 2027.
The Secretary of State commended the Pedagogical University for establishing the Observatory and the scientific journal, noting that both initiatives will facilitate access to information and strengthen the production of knowledge on early childhood. “A child who is prepared before entering elementary school achieves better educational outcomes throughout their development as a citizen and as a professional,” he concluded.
Source: Diário Económico
