Asilweni Bo Mama’s Stop the Early Admission of 3–4 Year Olds into Grade R: Protect the ECD Phase

I agree with the petition

Stop early school administration

We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned citizens, respectfully oppose the proposal or implementation of enrolling children as young as 3 and 4 years old directly into Grade 1, bypassing the crucial Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase. Our concerns are as follows: Children are not developmentally ready for Grade 1 at that age At ages 3 and 4, children are still developing foundational social, emotional, and physical skills. The ECD phase provides a nurturing environment that supports their early learning needs in a play-based and age-appropriate setting. Grade 1 is too formal and demanding for most children at that stage. Increased risk of abuse, neglect, and abduction Many parents work long hours and rely on ECD centres for safe and structured childcare. Removing or bypassing this phase may leave young children unsupervised or placed in environments that are not suited to their age, putting them at greater risk. ECD centres support working families ECD facilities not only prepare children for school, but also provide vital childcare support for working parents. Moving children into formal schooling too early could strain families who depend on ECD services for flexible and reliable care. This change is not in the best interest of children Forcing children into an academic environment before they are emotionally and cognitively ready may harm their long-term development, self-esteem, and attitude toward learning. We believe that all children deserve a strong foundation through the ECD phase before entering formal schooling. Therefore, we urge the government and education authorities to reconsider and oppose any policy that allows 3- and 4-year-old children to begin Grade 1, and instead strengthen and invest in the ECD sector. For the sake of our children’s future, we ask that you: Retain the ECD phase for children aged 0–5 years Ensure Grade 1 entry remains at age 6 or older Support parents and caregivers with acces

Keep the kids at ECD

Children won't be able to develop holistically at school. Ecd is very important for the development of our children. Teachers at school are not trained to teach toddlers.

From 4 year old kids and 3years kids belongs to ECD's they still need our care, they don't belong to school

No 3 to 4 year olds should go to big school it's not possible

I don't think it's wise for implement the Bella Bill as most parent wake up early and come back late in the evening so no one takes care of their children during the day but ECD can manage to do their job while the are at work ,and this this of Bella Bill it will increase the abuse and abduction of children pleas think wisely for the sake of innocent soul

3 and 4 year olds are still young . They need proper care and attention. ECDs have that care

It is totally wrong to skip from RRR or RR to go to grade R the stepping stone start from baby so it is advisable to go from grade to grade, parents don't realize the harm they doing to there children to skip grades to go strait to grade R

They are too young,they need proper care and early childhood development centers are the only places that can do that.

I stand firmly with the section 19, children must start grade R in schools when they are 5 turning 6.

That system kills our job and our children and staff members

How is our children going to cope in a classroom full of 40 children. Yet at the Ecd level 1 teacher equally to 20 children. Do you want to kill our children. Afternoon who will look after them? Enough is enough take you Bela act somewhere and leave our kids alone.

I the parent of samu Williams agree to sign this petition

Can we have peace on doing wat we love can the government stop harassing us thats all we are asking thnk u

Allow kids to be kids. It’s important for their early develop

3 to 4yrs be at Ecd is frustrati

We need the 3-4 years at our centers they are not safe at school, they are still young ,they cannot stand for themselves. They need love, dedication and good supervision.

No to the Bella Act