An Impact Evaluation of Early Childhood Development Centres in Rwanda (A Case study of Huye District, Southern Province ) June 2019 – October 2019

Abstract

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) clearly spells out the significance of early child development (ECD). Its document shows that a child has a right to develop to ―the maximum extent possible‖ (Article 6), and that ―State parties recognize the right of every child…‖ (Article 27). This is an affirmation that the right to a child‘s development has been accepted and embraced by the international community. Through a descriptive comparative study, and by randomized control trial, the researcher investigates if ECD centers in Maraba Sector of Huye District in Rwanda as an intervention have high quality, acceptable or poor impact in terms of performance on the children and the community as a whole by looking at the program popularity, enrolments, learning approach and other selected factors. Data was collected from from 127 participants‘ representatives of the 6 Cells in the Sector where 65 were composed of the experimental group and 62 comprised the control group. Survey Questionnaire and Observation were the primary methods employed to collect the data. The quantitative data have been analyzed by adapting the techniques employed by Al Rubaish (2010) in the analysis of SES in addition to other excel operations and use of cumulative percentage; whereas the qualitative data were analyzed along with the quantitative results. The study found noteworthy popularity of the intervention above 98% with the experimental group. 97% of the beneficiaries agreed that the ECD program adequately prepares the child for primary education. 95% agree that the programs helped parents on parenting abilities and development of the child. It showed school feeding program, free tuition, and a clean, safe and secure environment contribute immensely as motivations for parents to enroll their children. The results of the learning approach showed high quality in relation to the curriculum, delivery, and cognitive development. The study recommends amongst others caregivers compensation, school feeding program and free tuition to be maintained.