Early childhood education in Africa: Between overambitious global objectives, the need to reflect local interests, and educational choices

The African continent represents the part of the world where early childhood care and education (ECCE) preceding primary schooling is the least developed. It is therefore essential to propose an analysis of the prospects for the development of early childhood education in the coming years. This article deals in the first instance with the international infatuation for pre-primary education based on both scientific evidence and also international agendas. It then explores the possibilities of putting forward a coherent African response to global demands concerning early childhood education and promoting the inclusion of local cultural content in designing pre-primary educational structures. Finally, the article suggests some principles that might guide international cooperation activities affecting the early childhood sector.