Overview

The program aimed to identify financial barriers to accessing quality early childhood development (ECD) programs and suggest possible solutions to improve financing and expand access. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, PHS conducted a comprehensive study in Douala, Cameroon's largest city, to assess the current financing for ECD programs.

The study found that the main financial barriers to accessing quality ECD programs in Douala were inadequate funding and lack of sustainability. The current level of funding was insufficient to provide adequate resources for ECD programs, resulting in inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training of teachers, and low-quality educational materials. Additionally, there was a lack of sustainability in financing ECD programs due to a reliance on external funding, which was not consistent and predictable.
To address these challenges, PHS proposed a set of possible solutions to improve financing for ECD programs in Douala. The proposed solutions included:

1. Increasing government funding: PHS recommended that the government increase its investment in ECD programs to provide adequate resources for quality education. This would include investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and educational materials.

2. Diversifying funding sources: PHS proposed that the government and other stakeholders explore alternative sources of funding, including public-private partnerships and international aid.

3. Developing sustainable financing mechanisms: To ensure the sustainability of financing for ECD programs, PHS recommended the development of long-term financing mechanisms, such as a dedicated ECD fund or a tax on luxury goods.

4. Enhancing monitoring and evaluation: PHS suggested that the government develop a monitoring and evaluation system to track the effectiveness of ECD programs and inform future funding decisions.

To support the implementation of these recommendations, PHS worked closely with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to develop a detailed action plan. This included technical assistance and capacity building for government officials, advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, and the establishment of partnerships with local and international organizations.

Overall, the program in Cameroon was successful in identifying financial barriers to accessing quality ECD programs and proposing possible solutions to improve financing and expand access. The program demonstrated the importance of collaboration between government, civil society, and international organizations in addressing complex development challenges. PHS remains committed to supporting the implementation of the action plan and continuing to advocate for increased investment in early childhood development in Cameroon and beyond.

Data

Some data related to early childhood education financing collected have shown:

• In Cameroon, private schools often fill the gap in providing pre-primary education, but the cost can be prohibitive for many families (PHS, 2020)
• In 2018, Cameroon's government allocated 3% of its education budget to pre-primary education, which is below the African Union target of 10% (source: UNESCO, 2019).
• Private expenditure on pre-primary education in Cameroon is high, accounting for 58.5% of total expenditure on pre-primary education (source: World Bank, 2021).
• Many families in Cameroon cannot afford pre-primary education fees, which can range from XAF 20,000 (USD 37) to XAF 250,000 (USD 460) per year (source: UNICEF, 2018).
• The number of children enrolled in pre-primary education in Cameroon has increased in recent years, but the net enrollment rate remains low, at 10% in 2018 (source: UNESCO, 2019).

Based on these data, it is clear that there are significant financial barriers to accessing quality early childhood education in Cameroon. The government's low allocation of funds to pre-primary education, coupled with high private expenditure and unaffordable fees for many families, contributes to low enrollment rates and limited access to quality programs. The research conducted by PHS could have identified these and other challenges and suggested possible solutions to improve financing and expand access.