The African Center For Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD), in partnership with the Central Ethiopia National Regional State, convened a high-level workshop today, December 31, 2025, to disseminate and discuss the findings of the region’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) baseline survey in Worabe Town.
Held in Worabe Town, the event brought together senior regional officials, including the Deputy President and Social Cluster Coordinator, the Head of the Regional Education Bureau, Mr. Anteneh Fikadu, as well as bureau heads from Women and Children Affairs, Education, and Health. Members of the Regional ECD Coordination Committee, representatives from Wachemo University, and other relevant regional institutions also participated.

The workshop featured presentations on the key findings of the baseline survey, followed by interactive discussions and a high-level panel dialogue that examined the study outcomes and broader ECD priorities in the region.
Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening multisectoral collaboration, expanding equitable access to early learning, and improving health and child protection services to support optimal child development across the region.
The event also reflected on AfC-ECD’s ongoing efforts to support evidence-based ECD policy planning. On March 21, 2025, AfC-ECD signed agreements with three universities, including Wachemo University, to undertake baseline studies on the State of Early Childhood Development.
Building on this initiative, the Center has already completed similar baseline surveys in the Amhara and Sidama National Regional States, followed by successful high-level dissemination workshops in Bahir Dar and Hawassa in recent months.
These studies form part of AfC-ECD’s broader mission to generate critical data that informs regional ECD policies, planning, and investment decisions.
AfC-ECD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Central Ethiopia’s ECD agenda through research, capacity building, and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Mr. Anteneh Fikadu, Deputy President of the Central Ethiopia National Regional State, who was present at the event, stated that strong efforts are underway to ensure equitable benefits for young children through holistic Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs. Speaking at a high-level baseline survey dissemination workshop in Worabe town—organized by AfC-ECD in collaboration with the regional government and presented by researchers from Wachemo University and AfC-ECD—he emphasized that early childhood forms the foundation for future productivity, creativity, and national development.
AfC-ECD CEO, Dr. Kebede Worku Worku, expressed gratitude to participants and stressed that the survey marks a milestone for data-driven ECD planning in the region.