Transcript Early Intervention Practices in Ethiopia

Early Childhood Care
and Education in in
Ethiopia
Tirussew Teferra,
Professor of Special Needs Education,
Addis Ababa University, June 2010
Early Care and Education
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ECC is usually the responsibility of mothers ( strong
emotional attachment and physical contact),
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Fathers’ role in childcare is very minimal,
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Widespread traditional and punitive child rearing practices,
and
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Prevalence of of child neglect and abuse.
early Childhood Education
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Traditional Early Childhood Education
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Church Education/peer teaching and multiple levels/ age 4 >
Koranic Education
Modern Early Childhood Education
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Community/Kebele (affordable)
Private (middle and upper class)
NGOs (for low income families and orphans)
Faith-based organizations
Features of the Early
childhood Education
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Limited capacity (enrollment 2.7%)
Diversified curricula and programs
Understaffed (caregivers and teachers)
Ill-equipped (facilities and learning materials)
Lack of adequate space (play ground & classrooms)
Not affordable (private)
Programs focused on literacy & numeracy learning (reading, writing
counting, adding etc.)
Second language teaching (including games and stories)
Opportunities for
Early Childhood Care and Education
Favorable Policy Frameworks
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Education & Training Policy (TGE,1994)
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Confirms the importance of early childhood education;
Proclaims that kindergarten will focus on all-round
development of the child in preparation for formal schooling;
and
Gives due attention to students with disabilities gifted
children
Opportunities for
Early Childhood Care and Education
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Sector Development Programs
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Education Sector Development Program III
(2005/2010)
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Early childhood education is considered as one of the important
intervention areas in the coming five years
Other Opportunities …
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International Agencies an d Non-governmental
organizations
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Supporting early childhood care and education programs
Undertaking community, home and institute-based intervention programs
Providing assistance to medical training centers and outreach programs
Organizing drop-in centers for street children
Educating parents, teachers and the general public about the child’s right
convention etc.
Research and Intervention on Early
Childhood Care and Education
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Early Psychosocial Intervention and Development Collaborative Project
between Addis Ababa University and Universities of Bergen and Oslo,
Norway (1990-2000);
Study on Early Childhood Care and Development Intervention in Ethiopia
( World Bank, 1999); and
National Study on Early Childhood Care and Education in Ethiopia (UNICEF
and MOE,2006/07) (Research on Progress)
Project- 1 Early Psychosocial Intervention
(Universities, Addis Ababa, Bergen and
OSlO,1990-2000]
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MISC:
Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers [process]
More Intelligent and sensitive Child
Project-2 ECCE- [ World Bank,1999]
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ECCD programs seemed to encourage early school enrolment and high
retention rate in primary schools;
It was further observed that parents of the ECCD children had a significantly
notable follow-up and concern about their children's education compared to the
non-ECCD parents ;
The finding revealed that the ECCD parents' perception of their role in
influencing the overall development of children was found to be higher than that
of the non-ECCD parents, and
The study has found out that children in the ECCD programs were not exposed
to different types of illness and accidents compared to the non-ECCD children.
Project-3 National Study on Early childhood Care and
Education : UNICEF & MOE, 2007
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The research report has served as the ground for formulating national policy
frame-work on ECCE
Final Remark
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The Way Forward :
The Ministry of Education should consider ECE program as an
integral part of the general education and ensures that every
child has the opportunity to have access to early childhood
education before he or she joins formal education.
Encourage and support REBs and WEOs to open and run
early childhood education programs under the auspices of
primary schools;
Coordinate and regulate early childhood education and teacher
training programs to ensure standard and quality; and
Establish inter-ministerial cooperation among the relevant
sector ministries.
“Today’s investment in children is tomorrow’s peace,
stability, security, democracy and sustainable
development ”
[Africa Fit for Children, May 2001]
Thank You !!