Abstract
Given the benefits of early childhood education, many countries try to ensure universal accessibilityto early childhood education. However, with their limited budgets and chronic poverty, least developed countries face a huge disadvantage in providing access to early childhood education, especially for children of lower income families and those living in remote areas. This study aims to determine how accessibility to early childhood education and child development affects cognitive, learning, physical, and social-emotional readiness.We use nationally representative data from the Lao Social Indicator Survey (LSIS) for a case study of Lao PDR, which is representative of least-developed countries. Our estimation indicates that mother’s educational attainment and economic status of the family have an important impact on children’s preschool enrollment. In terms of children’s development, receiving early childhood education is likely to play a significant role in developing cognitive skills. Furthermore, in addition to early childhood education per se, activities associated such education also play an important role in fostering children’s development. Hence, early childhood education should be promoted in order to enhance all children’s access to preschools and thus ensure that their development remains on track.
Highlights
Education is viewed as an investment in human capital that enhances the nature of individuals’ lives in ways that bring advantages to their personal and economic prosperity (Acemoglu & Autor, 2011)
Even though at the national level increasing educational attainment may not appear to return measureable positive economic outcomes, when human capital is measured in terms of cognitive skills, the benefits become more apparent (Hanushek & Woessmann, 2012)
Developing countries have expanded access to preschool and there has been an increase in pre-primary enrollment in all regions over the past decade, today children from the poorest families are still largely unable to gain access (World Bank, 2015).Unequal access to early childhood education has a negative effect on cognitive development and reduces the readiness to learn at the primary education level (Anderson et al, 2003)
Summary
Education is viewed as an investment in human capital that enhances the nature of individuals’ lives in ways that bring advantages to their personal and economic prosperity (Acemoglu & Autor, 2011). In recognition of the importance of early childhood intervention, Sweden’s National Curriculum for Preschool, which emphasizes lifelong learning, has provided free pre-primary education for children from ages one to five, ensuring that all children get the same opportunities in life regardless of the economic status of their family. Developing countries have expanded access to preschool and there has been an increase in pre-primary enrollment in all regions over the past decade, today children from the poorest families are still largely unable to gain access (World Bank, 2015).Unequal access to early childhood education has a negative effect on cognitive development and reduces the readiness to learn at the primary education level (Anderson et al, 2003).
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