Development of the Rwanda National Parenting Curriculum

• In Event: Strengthening parenting and the role of caregivers: a sustainable approach to young children’s success in early childhood

Proposal

Investing in early childhood development is one of the best investments a country can make in its citizenry. Decades of research have confirmed that a strong investment in children’s early experiences boost economic growth, promote peaceful and sustainable societies, and can close the achievement gap that perpetuates extreme poverty and inequality. This research has compelled nations to act and in 2016, Rwanda established the National Early Childhood Development Policy and Strategic Plan. These documents outline the country’s vision and priorities for ensuring all young Rwandans grow, thrive, and have the quality early experiences that will support them in reaching their full potential. Parents are a critical resource in ensuring that all children have access to positive, responsive, nurturing care. Rwanda is thus prioritizing parenting programs to ensure parents have the knowledge and skills to support their children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Cambridge Education, under the direction of UNICEF and the National Early Childhood Development Programme (NECDP), supported the government in this effort through the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based parenting curriculum to guide parents to provide this holistic care, especially highlighting the positive parenting practices that are already prevalent in Rwandan culture. Building on the work that Rwanda has already done in supporting young children, the curriculum adheres to the commitments Rwanda has made in its previous strategies, polices, and frameworks, such as the EDPRS II, NST, Nutrition Policy, CRC, national schooling curricula, and other relevant documents.

The curriculum, a highly visual document focused on improving parenting practices for children ages 0-6 years old, was developed in three phases. The first of these was an in-depth literature and desk review, including available and relevant evidence and research on parenting education, including research originating in Rwanda and the East Africa region. This also included a field study to interview ECD stakeholders, including parents in every province of Rwanda, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural norms that must form the basis of any relevant parenting recommendations. The second phase included the drafting of the curriculum, reviewed and revised in collaboration with UNICEF, The Rwanda Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, and NECDP. The final phase included dissemination of the final curriculum with ECD stakeholders in Rwanda, including a presentation of the research base and process that was undertaken in developing the curriculum and discussion of appropriate delivery models and platforms.

This panel will discuss the literature, desk, and field studies undertaken in developing the Rwandan National Parenting Curriculum. The presentation will share the themes identified in the international, regional, and national research on parenting education and outline the recommendations which underpinned the development of the Rwandan National Parenting Curriculum. Additionally, it will share the methodology for developing the curriculum with a view to cultural appropriateness, stakeholder involvement, and the development of a final document which builds upon the parenting practices already identified in the culture to support optimal early childhood development.

Author

• Katherine Thomas, Mott MacDonald, Inc.