Making the Case for Early Childhood Education as the Primary Catalyst for Securing Sustainable Changes in Ethiopia (Dr. Hawani Negussie)

Organized and hosted by : ESAN/EWB-OnePupil –
ZOOM MEETING :  11:00 AM EDT EAST USA TIME

Time: May 16, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://lnkd.in/emJ6N6S

Meeting ID: 823 9845 3073–Password: 540586

Abstract

Early Childhood Care and Education  in Ethiopia was revitalized after the initiatives of the Education for All (EFA) campaign were introduced with intentions of expanding access and improving educational opportunities to children living in underserved communities/countries. In the process of expanding access to ECCE programs in Ethiopia, a greater need to grasp the meaning of early education introduced in the context of children’s historical, social, and cultural experiences has emerged.The impact of  such domains on early education in the form of children’s interactions in their natural environment was documented by various researchers such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky.  Children’s early correspondences with their community facilitate early cognitive development and distinct features found in social relationships within specific cultures and communities are an important element to consider when creating an environment of teaching and early learning.  The main focus of education and development in any early learning program is to enable children to construct knowledge using their social and cultural framework and “scaffold” through experiences with others.

As Ethiopia continues with the primary responsibility over the country’s early childhood education programs, the challenges of reframing the early  educational infrastructure, coupled with the lack of a uniform strategy to meet the comprehensive needs of children at the city, rural, and regional level relative to their cultural identification, remains a hindrance to overcome.  In addition, the importance of adopting an educational practice that integrates indigenous knowledge and cultural practices in all areas of the curriculum, especially at the pre-primary education level remains in progress. Further, the overarching imposition of the one size fits all international educational policy on early learning has minimized Sub Saharan African  countries including Ethiopia’s  pre-existing informal or indigenous early learning systems.

The presentation will address a wide range of topics related to early childhood care and education in Ethiopia in areas of indigenous early learning systems, language of instruction, innovation, Pk-16 education paradigm,  development based learning strategies, quality, equity and access while amplifying the case for early childhood education as the way to secure educational, economical, social and navigational advancement in Ethiopia.

Bio

Dr. Hawani Negussie has been in the field of Early Childhood Education, Child Development Infant Mental Health, Program Development, Assessment and Administration holding various positions in the birth-21 (PK-16) educational settings. Her practice is informed by her wide range of experiences, education and training with leading institutions both nationally and internationally.

She is a published author who serves on various boards and frequently presents at conferences, community-based meetings and in collaboration with peers in the field.

Dr. Negussie’s research is focused on examination of culturally relevant pedagogy in early childhood education programs, effects of globalization on indigenous learning systems and the application of play in pre-primary education.  Her extensive work with children and families from various backgrounds and settings, especially those coming from underserved communities continues to influence her outlook on how to address the compounding challenges children and families face due to inequitable opportunities. She is the founder of Early Education Ethiopia, a non-profit organization aimed at prioritizing early childhood education in Ethiopia.

Dr. Hawani Nigussie is also the found er of Institute of Early Childhood education with a mission To improve, advance,expand and prioritize early childhood care and education in Ethiopia by supporting existing schools, creating new programs, partnering with institutions and implementing a Pk-16 approach in the education system. (Read More)

Dr. Negussie holds a B.S., in Child Development, Minor in Psychology, M.A., in Early Childhood Education, Certificate in Infant Mental Health and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on PK-12 learning environments. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Brandman University, Part of Chapman University.