Exploring the utilization of funds to support health promotion programs in early learning environmentsments

Abstract

The Department of Basic Education has instituted several measures for improvement in the provision of early education in South Africa. Despite these efforts and resource allocations, health promotion in centers of early learning remains a challenge. This study focused on utilization of funds allocated to Grade R classes. Participants from schools and community-based sites with Grade R classes participated in this resear ch. The main instruments for data collection included individual interviews, photographs and documents. The findings from this study indicated that funds allocated to health programs are channeled to fund other priorities, which are academically inclined. A low priority given to health promotion was visible in the budgets, with schools as worst culprits. Lack of monitoring and control of the budgets and absence of adherence to the stipulations in circular 33/2010 were the main challenges. The visibility and involvement of the government departments in Community-Based Centers, assisted in ensuring that funds are utilized to enhance health initiatives.