Phase I

Early Education Ethiopia is grounded in applied research to inform practice, policy, and advocacy. As such, the objective of Project Alpha is designed to engage in deep program study, gather data, and apply and integrate it into practice.  In this phase, we undertook an existing pre-primary program to implement our phase 1- Project Alpha. Shimbit Elementary is located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, and serves families that come from under-served communities. Prior to starting any implementation, we engaged all stakeholders in various discussions, training, and meetings to understand the challenges and needs. Using this information, we were able to redesign a current KG or preschool classroom and create an outside play-learning environment.

Conference: Early Childhood Education Ethiopia holds international conferences focused on promoting agendas related to children’s care, development, and education. 

 Feb. 2021: Title: Ethiopia in Ten Years: Investing in Child-Centered Policies to Secure an Inclusive Tomorrow. A Two-Part Symposium 

May 2022:  Title: Raising Indigenous Intellectualism in Early Childhood Education through Agricultural Education

Parent Training: A first-of-its-kind, country-wide training focused on topics related to children’s development, child health, language, caregiving practices, and much more was organized and conducted by Early Childhood Education Ethiopia in collaboration with five universities across the country. Addis Ababa University, Kotebe Education University, Hawassa University, Debre Tabor University, and the University of Gondar were participants with many of the faculty members providing the training. Attended by parents, teachers, faculty members, principals, and teachers, this training provided context and advancing information for many in the audience. 

May, 2021: A Four-Part Parent Engagement Seminar.

“Before this training, I was the only one talking when my children did something wrong, but now I know better, I have to listen to them too” Excerpt from a parent participant (May, 2021).