An expert in educational evaluation, Oluyemisi Ajoke Oloniyo, has stressed the need to advance early childhood education, noting that it is a global concern.
She delivered a lecture: “Evaluating Early Childhood Education Programmes: A Systematic Literature Review,” at the American Evaluation Association (AEA) annual conference, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The conference had as theme: “The Power of Story.”
The experienced educational psychologist and programme evaluator, highlighted the critical need for high-quality evaluations in early childhood education programmes.
She said these evaluations guide programme improvements and assess their impact on young learners.
Her review of evaluation approaches in early childhood education is the first comprehensive review in several years. Her findings confirmed her initial suspicions that more research is needed in this area, and she is now developing a comprehensive roadmap for evaluating these programmes.
Read Also: Prioritise equal early childhood education, ECAN tells govts
Oloniyo is poised to address global and national issues in early childhood education with her work serving as a crucial resource for identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
Her research investigates significant issues such as parental educational levels and poverty. She highlights the challenges 30% of children living in poor households’ face, as reported by The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book 2023. Her work emphasizes the critical link between housing stability and a child’s holistic development, urging society to address these issues urgently and precisely.