Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive in Rustenburg

The Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive (BPMRD) is a programme that is spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in response to the need to pull all Early Learning Programmes (ELPs) into the regulatory net; and support them to comply with the minimum norms and standards. The emphasis on registration stems from the government’s recognition that quality early learning rests on various conditions being met including adequate nutrition, safe and nurturing environments, parent and caregiver support, as well as access to opportunities for professional development for practitioners. The registration process has been simplified for ELPs to include 3 steps which include applying on the E-Cares online platform, submitting supporting documentation to provide evidence of compliance and ultimately achieving silver or gold certification.

To ensure maximum reach, the National DBE has relied on local NGO partners to support the BPMRD. Through its implementation of the Do More Foundation’s Basket of Services, the Early Care Foundation (ECF) has championed what this support can look like at community level. Under the infrastructure support basket, ECF as an implementing partner have leveraged their relationship with the Provincial and District DBE team to not only support the ECDs that they work with, but to identify how and where other organizations can play their part. During the monthly technical committee meetings, ECF has leveraged this platform to coordinate partners and to keep the district DBE abreast of the progress of the MRD in Rustenburg. Additionally, ECF’s consistent attendance of the Bana Pele meetings hosted by DBE have enabled them to provide technical committee and young child forum members with key updates pertaining to the programme.

As DBE continues to invite civil society organizations to participate in and support the BPMRD, they have also relied on the insights of existing organizations to map the existing gaps. ECF is one of the organizations trained on the DBE eCares platform as a result, 50 ECDs centres the Rustenburg ECD centers have been prioritized to support them in achieving bronze registration status. In Rustenburg, through the Technical Committee meeting, areas such as Kgetleng were identified as having low uptake and registration on the E-Cares platform. An understanding of where members of the Technical Committee operate provided ECF with an opportunity to leverage this and direct the right help to the communities where it is needed.

To date ECF has played the important role in encouraging ECDs to start building their portfolio of evidence for submission to the DBE for registration. Currently, the four centers that are registered have maintained their registration status. Between January and March 2025, many ECD centers were working towards achieving registration status, which is a positive step for the future of early childhood education.

Four centers: Let's Learn DCC, Creative Minds DCC, Morning Light DCC, and Happy Kids DCC, are in the exciting process of building new classrooms, transitioning successfully from home-based facilities to standalone centers. This shift will provide a more suitable learning environment for children.

Two centers: Forever Bright Star DCC and Alosang DCC, are making significant improvements by building toilets for children, ensuring their health and comfort.

In total, ECF continues to support a total of 51 ECDs and 7 day mothers, of these, 3 have achieved registration and are being funded through the subsidy while 3 are registered but unfunded. Thirty-one ECDs were supported with various upgrades including infrastructure, equipment, resources and training.