Abu Dhabi – Al Watan: The US-based organisation “ECD Major,” a prominent entity in early childhood care, has announced that winning the Khalifa Educational Award in its nineteenth session, specifically within the category of the Khalifa International Award for Early Education, marks a significant milestone in its mission. The foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of learning environments for young children by launching initiatives and educational programmes tailored to this demographic. It commended the United Arab Emirates for its comprehensive efforts in supporting and empowering early childhood development through an integrated system of legislation, laws, and national strategies, ensuring healthy social growth and sound education for young children, thereby enabling them to discover and nurture their talents for the future.
Recognition of Global Impact
Hamid Al-Hooti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Educational Award, stated that the recognition of this prominent global institution exemplifies the award’s mission and objectives, as well as its esteemed position internationally. Through the Khalifa International Award for Early Education, the prize aims to create a positive impact on early childhood care environments and to empower them globally. This initiative reflects the award’s vision of highlighting the best global practices adopted by scientific centres and specialised institutions in early childhood development.
A Platform for Innovation
Rebecca Moganni, Vice President of “ECD Major,” expressed that the Khalifa International Award for Early Education has become a pioneering platform for creative practices and innovative solutions observed in global early childhood development. She highlighted that “ECD Major” employs a unique model of early education that focuses on the quality of daily interactions between specialised educators and children, framed within an inspiring learning environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and talent discovery.
Addressing Quality Gaps
Moganni emphasised the ongoing challenge many early childhood care and education systems face in bridging the gap between national quality standards and daily classroom practices. To address this, the organisation developed the “Together in Practice” quality education system, which aims to transform quality measurement into a continuous improvement approach that directly supports educators’ practices.
Global Implementation and Effectiveness
The organisation has successfully implemented this system in over 20 countries. Rigorous scientific evaluations have demonstrated its effectiveness. Randomised controlled trials conducted in Kenya and the United States revealed that educators who received individual feedback and motivational messages significantly applied a greater number of quality practices over a period of three to four months, achieving moderate to high levels of impact.
Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution
Moganni noted that the results achieved are nearing the impact levels produced by professional development models that require more substantial resources. The “Together in Practice” system is characterised by its low cost, flexibility, and scalability, relying on readily available technologies and necessitating a limited amount of training. These attributes allow for practical integration into existing quality assurance systems and government professional development programmes, enhancing its sustainability and expanding its reach.