ECED Research Day – ACER Indonesia and UNICEF Joint Research on Early Child Education and Development

Jakarta, 11 September 2019 – ACER Principal Research Fellow Dr Dan Cloney, on behalf of the study team, together with UNICEF presented the results of 'The Assessment of Child Development Outcomes of a Cohort of Children Participating in the Modelling of Universal Pre-primary Education' study undertaken by ACER at the 2^nd Early Child Education and Development (ECED) Research Day which was organised by the World Bank in cooperation with Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This one-day event was specifically designed to showcase various studies and best practices related to early childhood development (ECD) where relevant stakeholders including national and local governments, universities, research centers and other partners such SMERU/RISE and SEAMEO CECCEP.

The issue of ECED has never been so critical. The Indonesian government is currently in the period of preparing their midterm plan (RPJMN 2020 – 2024), thus there is a good momentum to integrate ECD into such planning processes. This is an essential step as ECD is considered as the entrance of intervention to human development, especially since the objective of the study resonates with the Sustainable Development Goals 4.2 where children should have access to integrated quality early childhood development program by 2030.

During his presentation, Dr Cloney explained the key findings and analysis of the UNICEF-commissioned research on the modelling of universal pre-primary education in Bogor District, West Java. It includes research scheme, type of intervention, groups sample, indicator and monitoring framework, identified behaviors, impact analysis, and evaluation.

The research was unique as the pilot model is anew, holistic approach that integrates all ECD components. The program is now entering the end-line phase.