Preschool curriculum implementation in Ethiopia: The case of selected woredas preschools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice of preschool curriculum implementation in selected woredas of South West Shoa Zone. For this study, descriptive survey research design was used. Data were gathered from 49 O-Class, 9 kindergartens, 192 teachers, 58 principals, 12 cluster supervisors and 4 woreda education experts. The findings of the study revealed that the objectives of the curriculum were unable to address all domains of children’s development, the contents lack relevance to prepare children for life and learning ahead. In addition, appropriate instructional methods, materials, assessment and record keeping systems that guarantee the proper implementation of the curriculum were not employed. On the other hand, the major factors that can affect the implementation of preschool education in schools are generally related to lack of textbooks, teacher’s guides, syllabuses, policy documents and manuals, and lack of uniformity on the implementation of the program. Key words: Curriculum implementation, Ethiopia, practice, preschool.