REJUVENATING THE AGENDA FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD IN ACHEH AFTER THE TSUNAMI

Abstract

The study investigated Early Childhood Development (ECD) after the tsunami in Aceh. The paper aims to highlight the initiatives being implemented as part of the rejuvenating strategies towards ECD programmes in Aceh since the tsunami. The study employed a mixed method in data collection. A total of 103 respondents took part in interviews and 450 participated in a survey. However, this paper focuses only on the results yielded from the interviews. The views are expressed in terms of the building of new ECD centers, the renovation of the existing ECD centers, the training needs amongst the ECD teachers and the challenges of ECD. The results indicate that ECD is being given focus in the strategic plan for education of Aceh since the tsunami Thus; this study implies that the agenda of rejuvenating ECD has become priority but the challenge lies in capacity building and advocacy in its ECD activities in order to have a wider impact with sustainable ECD programs.