Initiative on Early Childhood Care and Education as a tool to improve the quality of education: The case of Woreha Yekatit School located in Kirkos Subcity Woreda 4

Abstract

This thesis explores the introduction of the National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education in Ethiopia from the early childhood 'educators' and 'policymakers' perspectives. This research identified the need to study the introduction of ECCE as research into this topic to date has been limited. The purpose of this research was to understand the rationale behind this new initiative as well as exploring the issues of „implementation and „quality service delivery' within the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) with particular emphasis in Yewereha Yekatit ECCE Center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 respondents (4 key policymakers, Sub-city education Bureau, school director, ECCE coordinator, 2 ECCE educators and 2 care takers). Findings suggest that the policy ideas behind the introduction of ECCE were driven by availing education opportunity, to ensure quality child care services and addressing long standing demands. One of the key findings in this research is that with the introduction of ECCE changes were observed and challenges were encountered as well. Some of the key challenges highlighted in this research were related to issues of quality and access, lack of adequate budgetary allocation. Nonetheless, the findings in this research suggested that ECCE policy has been highly welcomed by all the stakeholders as an important step towards ensuring equality of access and quality provision.