The program addresses current gaps in ECE access, especially among disadvantaged population.It can be delivered in a few weeks, at lower costs and can result in positive outcomes for young children. It can be used as an interim or medium-term measure to deliver PPE in remote, unreached areas to complement national efforts to increase provision of PPE. The rationale behind this is that disadvantaged children should not be left behind or kept waiting while governments are developing plans and securing resources to fund universal PPE programs. The program is especially relevant during and after COVID-19 school closures that have left many young children with no access to PPE due to many low- and middle-income countries not prioritizing PPE in COVID-19 response. Moreover, the economic crisis resulting from COVID-19and the concomitant shrinking of fiscal space in many countries, are expected to impact education provision, especially pre-primary education which is the least prioritized sub-sector.
