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This project focuses on understanding the ecosystem of Early Childhood Development (ECD) researchers and their needs in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda (with desk-based research for Mozambique).

The importance of early childhood development for school readiness and future life opportunities is well documented in policy documents such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016 – 2025).

Despite the recognition, 250 million children (43%) younger than five years in low-income and middle-income countries are at risk of not achieving their developmental potential.

With funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) is collaborating with the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre to implement this project. We will map the landscape of ECD research to include the first 1,000 days of a child’s development (0-3 years) with a focus on education and its intersection with areas such as play activities, health and nutrition. 

Goals:

• Improve the visibility and accessibility of ECD research undertaken by sub-Saharan Africa-based researchers;

• Establish a community of practice (network) and strengthen the capacity of sub-Saharan Africa-based ECD researchers (particularly early career researchers and female ECD researchers); and,

• Advocate, communicate, and disseminate evidence on ECD from sub-Saharan Africa.

Evidence from the study will be used to bridge the gap between African researchers and various decision-makers such as funders, policymakers and practitioners. Beyond the continent, evidence from this project will foster South-South collaborations and facilitate connections with researchers in other geographic regions in and/or outside Africa. 

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Members of the Early Childhood Development Advisory Group

• Professor Mavis Dako-Gyeke (University of Ghana) 

• Professor Belay Hagos (Addis Ababa University) 

• Dr Mary Goretti Nakabugo (Executive Director, Uwezo Uganda) 

• Professor Efua Irene Amenyah Sarr (Gaston Berger University, Senegal) 

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Publications

Summary Reports for Action

• Identifying and addressing professional development needs of early childhood development and foundational learning researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: Summary report for action (English)

• Identifying and addressing professional development needs of early childhood development and foundational learning researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: Summary report for action (French)

• Identifying and addressing professional development needs of early childhood development and foundational learning researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: Summary report for action (Portuguese)

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Workshop Reports

• Grant proposal writing workshop report

• Enhancing Africa-Led Research on Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning Workshop: Recommendations  for Action

• ESSA/REAL Centre Workshop Report: Enhancing Africa-led Research on Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning

• Améliorer La Recherche Menée en Afrique sur Le Développement de La Petite Enfance et L’Apprentissage de Base

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Literature Search Protocols

• Mapping early childhood development publications in international databases by researchers located in sub-Saharan Africa

• Mapping country-based early childhood development research outputs by researchers located in sub-Saharan Africa

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Analyses from international databases

• Mapping early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Report on analysis from international databases

• Mapping early childhood development publications in sub-Saharan Africa from international databases: Summary

• Mapping Education Publications in Portuguese in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of International Databases (English)

• Mapping Education Publications in Portuguese in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of International Databases (Portuguese)

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Country reports

• Mapping unpublished and locally published early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya country report

• Mapping unpublished and locally published early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana country report

• Mapping unpublished and locally published early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Tanzania country report

• Mapping unpublished and locally published early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Uganda country report

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Cross-country reports

• Mapping early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Cross-country mapping

• Mapping early childhood development research in sub-Saharan Africa: Cross-country mapping Summary

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Blogs

• Understanding Research Priorities and Professional Development Needs of Early Years Researchers in Africa

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research for Local Knowledge and Global Development: Evidence from sub-Saharan African-based Researchers

• The Place of Locally Published and Unpublished Early Childhood Development Research in sub-Saharan Africa

• Enhancing Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning through African-Led Research

• Prioritising early learning research in sub-Saharan Africa for equitable learning outcomes

• Advancing Early Childhood Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Ten Key Insights from Researchers

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News Items

• New Effort to 'Decolonise' African Education Research

• Enhancing African-Led Research on Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning

• Calls to increase research funding in Africa louder than ever

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Press Release

• Joint Press Release: Education Sub Saharan Africa Welcomes Partnership With Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Towards Improving African Research Evidence