Mary James

Areas of Interest

Education, International

Honorary Award

Mary James Honorary Doctor of Education, 2009

Biography

Mary James is an inspirational leader in Early Childhood Development (ECD), from KwaZulu Natal South Africa. She is the Director of the Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education (LETCEE), a non-governmental organisation established in the early 1990s. 

Mary, an English, Zulu and Afrikaans speaker, leads a team which comprises of members of these linguistic and cultural groups. The work which Mary is currently leading and directing at the centre has evolved and expanded over the years. In 1991, before the end of apartheid, Mary opened the first multi-racial pre-primary school in the area, to offer playful learning experiences to young children before entering formal education. In 1993, Mary addressed this need by starting a training programme in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Six students enrolled then but now 500 students go through the system each year.

After the introduction of this training it became evident that the vast majority of children in rural communities still had no opportunities for ECD provision. Mary was part of a group, which initiated the family facilitators' programme, offering family-based learning to young children. Today there are 40 family facilitators who serve 10 families each, in three community programmes. The ECD training and the family based learning programme is now well established, and it is estimated to touch the lives of approximately 15,000 children and 2,000 adults annually.

Mary's work has been inspirational for the members of Anglia Ruskin University's Early Childhood Research Group. It has extended their appreciation of the interface of the work of Early Year's professionals with families across the world. She is honoured for her outstanding education and leadership skills, and for reaching out to the tribal communities of KwaZulu Natal.

Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Mary James for the award of Honorary Doctor of Education.

Mary James is an inspirational leader in Early Childhood Development (ECD), from KwaZulu Natal South Africa. She is the Director of the Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education (LETCEE), a non-governmental organisation established in the early 1990s. 

Mary, an English, Zulu and Afrikaans speaker, leads a team which comprises of members of these linguistic and cultural groups. 

The work which Mary is currently leading and directing at the centre has involved and expanded over the years. In 1991, before the end of apartheid, Mary opened the first multi-racial pre-primary school in the area, to offer playful learning experiences to young children before entering formal education. Until then most children had been excluded from early learning so there was a pressing need for Zulu speaking early years professionals. In 1993, Mary addressed this need by starting a training programme in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Six students enrolled then but now 500 students go through the system each year.

After the introduction of this training it became evident that the vast majority of children in rural communities still had no opportunities for ECD provision. Mary was part of a group, which initiated the family facilitators' programme, offering family-based learning to young children. Today there are 40 family facilitators who serve 10 families each, in three community programmes. 

Since its inception the family facilitators programme has evolved; its remit has extended and its focus is on community support as well as child development and learning. The family facilitators provide emotional support to parents/carers, encourage birth registrations and raise awareness and support applications for Social Welfare entitlements. The majority of children are cared for by grandparents, and the programme provides some respite from these responsibilities for elder members of the community. 

The Buddy programme is another initiative that has sprung from community engagement. Young children of the age 10-15 years are supported to mentor young children to engage in group-play and encourage literacy. This interaction helps the young children and the teens themselves with confidence and self-esteem. Today there are 60 buddies.

The ECD training and the family based learning programme is now well established, and it is estimated to touch the lives of approximately 15000 children and 2000 adults annually.

The family-focused and community-oriented early years provision - advocated today in the field of early childhood - was conceived and implemented in a part of the world, where resources remain scarce, but empathy, passion, commitment and inspirational leadership were and are abundant. In 2008, the UNICEF discovered LETCEE's family-based learning and after commissioning its evaluation, pronounced it a model of excellence for replication in other areas. 

Mary James's work has been inspirational for the members of Anglia Ruskin University's Early Childhood Research Group. It has extended their appreciation of the interface of the work of Early Year's professionals with families across the world. 

In recognition of your inspirational leadership reaching out to tribal communities of KwaZulu Natal, we would like to honour you today. Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Mary James for the award of Doctor of Education, honoris causa."