The workshop jointly organized by the Mayor’s Office’s Strategic Project Management Office (SPMO), Addis Ababa Bureau of Education, City’s Education and Training Quality and Relevance Authority and the African Center For Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) on February 5, 2026, with private pre-primary schools (PPS) owners and principals aims at strengthening the effective implementation of play-based learning approaches in schools.
In his opening remarks, AfC-ECD Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kebede Worku, emphasized that pre-primary education lays a strong foundation for children’s holistic development and prepares them for successful transition to primary education. He stressed the importance of private educational institutions creating conducive learning environments that support play-based teaching methodologies.
Deputy Head and Sectors Coordinator of the Addis Ababa City Administration Education Bureau, Ato Tilaye Zewde, also at the occasion highlighted that the play-based teaching approach is a core component of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program. He noted that the Bureau has been providing essential resources and continuous capacity-building training for teachers and school leaders to ensure effective program implementation.
Ato Tilaye further stated that private pre-primary schools are expected to implement the program in alignment with the second cycle of basic education. He added that, in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Education and Training Quality Control Authority, the Bureau will verify and monitor institutions to ensure proper implementation.
Similarly, Mr. Izzedin Misbah, Head of the Addis Ababa Education and Training Quality Control Authority, reaffirmed his office’s commitment to enforcing standards through regular supervision and inspection. He emphasized that all private pre-primary schools will be required to comply fully with play-based teaching guidelines.
The workshop concluded with in-depth discussions on the evaluation criteria of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program, as well as operational and implementation guidelines for the transformation of pre-primary schools.
