Ethiopia accelerates its nationwide expansion of early childhood education in early 2026. The government launches ambitious initiatives to increase access, build infrastructure, and train educators, aiming to reach millions of young children in urban and rural areas alike.
Education Benefits and Long-Term Vision
Officials emphasize ECE’s role in improving school readiness, cognitive development, and future academic performance. Studies show early education reduces dropout rates and boosts equity, especially for girls and disadvantaged communities.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlights it as foundational for Ethiopia’s human capital development under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 and roadmap. This expansion supports broader goals like poverty reduction and sustainable growth.
While infrastructure gaps and teacher shortages persist, recent pilots demonstrate success: enrollment rises significantly in participating woredas, with positive parental feedback.
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