San Diego State University ECE Project Hosts First Annual ECE Conference
November 14, 2023
The First Annual Early Childhood Education (ECE) Conference, organized by the San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) under the Innovation, Inclusion, and Quality (I2Q) Project, was opened by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Nodar Papukashvili. The conference aimed to showcase the progress achieved through complex initiatives and outline future plans for key stakeholders in the ECE sector.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister welcomed participants, expressed gratitude to SDSURF experts for their successful collaboration, and highlighted ongoing projects and future steps in advancing early childhood education. He emphasized the value of the partnership with SDSURF, noting its significant contribution to the enhancement of Georgia’s early and preschool education system. According to Nodar Papukashvili, the Ministry continues to prioritize adapting the ECE system to better meet the needs and interests of children.
Supported by the World Bank, SDSU is leading comprehensive efforts to improve the early education sector as part of the I2Q Project. During the conference, SDSURF representatives presented key achievements, including improvements to the management system of early and preschool education institutions and upgrades to educational program quality. Nancy Frey, professor and project team leader offered insights into early childhood education from a global perspective.
International and local experts delivered presentations on various topics, including the development of early childhood and preschool data reporting systems, the creation of a merit-based compensation system, key components of a successful early education program, and the implementation of a quality assurance framework. Attendees also discussed a legal analysis of the regulatory documents governing early and preschool education and corresponding recommendations. Further discussions centered on the professional development of caregivers and caregiver pedagogues, along with updates to school readiness programs.