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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Analysis from International Databases

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Publications 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: Report on Analysis of International Databases

• Mapeamento das Publicações Sobre Educação em Português na África Subsariana: Relatório de Análise de Bases de Dados Internacionais

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Spreadsheet of Early Childhood Development publications by African researchers

• Spreadsheet of African Early Childhood Development Publications in International Databases and Local Repositories

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Blogs

• Teachers’ Profile and Role in Supporting Early Childhood in Schooling

• Community Engagement in Improving Early Literacy Skills in Malawi

• Health Concerns in Early Childhood Education Centres: Scenarios in Selected Schools in Zambia

• How the Home Environment Contributes to Addressing Learning Poverty for Young Children in Tanzania

• Taking the Model of Supporting Early Childhood through Ubuntu to a Wider Audience

• Strategies and Challenges in Advancing ECCE through Implementation Science: A Case from Uganda

• Responding to Learning Needs of Early Childhood Children through Teacher Training in Zambia

• The Status of ECD Financing in Six SADC Countries: National Budgeting, Aid Allocation and ECD Learning Costs

• Enhancing Early Childhood Development Policies: A Call to Action for Tanzania

• Participating in the Eastern Africa Regional Early Childhood Conference: Sharing, Learning and Networking

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

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

• International Women’s Day Spotlight: Professor Irene Amenyah Sarr

• International Women’s Day Spotlight: Professor Esme Manful

• International Women’s Day Spotlight: Ms Mwajuma Rwebangila

• 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

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Workshop Reports

• Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Report

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

• The Place of Locally Published and Unpublished Early Childhood Development Research in sub-Saharan Africa

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

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Individual Country Reports

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research Outputs in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana Country Report

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research Outputs in sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya Country Report

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research Outputs in sub-Saharan Africa: Uganda Country Report

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research Outputs in sub-Saharan Africa: Tanzania Country Report

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Cross-country Reports

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research in sub-Saharan Africa: Cross-Country Mapping Report

• Mapping Early Childhood Development Research in sub-Saharan Africa: Cross-Country Mapping Summary

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Literature Search Protocols

• Literature Search Protocol: Mapping Early Childhood Development Publications in International Databases by Researchers Located in sub-Saharan Africa

• Literature Search Protocol: Mapping Country-based Early Childhood Development Research Outputs by Researchers Located in sub-Saharan Africa

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Insights from engagements with ECD and FL researchers

• Identifying and Addressing Professional Development Needs of Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: Summary Report for Action

• Identifier et Répondre aux Besoins de Développement Professionnel des Chercheurs en Développement de La Petite Enfance et en Apprentissage Fondamental en Afrique subsaharienne: Rapport de Synthèse pour L'action

• Identificar e Responder às Necessidades de Desenvolvimento Profissional dos Investigadores em Desenvolvimento da Primeira Infância e Aprendizagem de Base na África Subsariana: Relatório de Síntese Para Ação

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News

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

• New Effort to 'Decolonise' African Education Research