Impact Evaluation of Early Childhood Education Centers on School Readiness and Academic Achievement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Mixed Methods Study

Early childhood education centers (ECECs) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have been established to improve school readiness and academic achievement among children. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating a population-based survey with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among parents and teachers. The analysis revealed that children who attended ECECs exhibited higher levels of literacy skills (45% improvement) compared to those from non-ECEC backgrounds. ECECs significantly enhance school readiness, particularly in language and numeracy skills. Parents and teachers reported positive feedback on educational outcomes. Further research should explore the long-term effects of ECEC attendance and potential areas for improvement in curriculum design.