Initiative to revolutionise ECD assessment

A pioneering initiative designed to transform the assessment of Early Childhood Development (ECD) learners is gaining momentum across Zimbabwe's education sector. The Smart Tablet Early Learning Tool (STELA), an innovative Android-based application, is empowering teachers to track and analyze the cognitive, physical, and socio-economic development of children in ECD B classes more efficiently than ever before.

Developed by the Child Protection Society, STELA replaces the traditional paper-based checklist system previously used in schools. The application aims to bridge the digital divide by targeting under-resourced areas, particularly rural communities, enabling real-time data collection and analysis that benefits not only individual learners but also school and district-wide education monitoring.

"STELA is an Android application used by teachers to assess developmental milestones for children in ECD B in particular," explained Child Protection Society representative Tinashe Madzitire. "Currently, we are focusing on ECD B, but the plan is to expand to other early childhood classes in the next phase. The tool replaces outdated paper checklists, helping us go digital and reach the least resourced parts of the country, especially rural areas."

Madzitire added that the Education Ministry already has access to the data collected through STELA and is considering officially adopting the tool nationwide to improve the assessment of ECD learners.

The initiative has garnered strong support from key stakeholders. Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors (Zinecda) director Macerline Kahlari highlighted how STELA fills a crucial gap in the education system.

"Previously, early learning assessments only covered Grade Two, leaving ECD pupils without formal evaluation of their developmental progress," Kahlari noted. "STELA addresses this by tracking milestones that determine whether a child is ready to advance to the next grade. It helps identify areas where children may be lagging and guides the development of targeted interventions for positive outcomes."

Meanwhile, acting chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education, Sikayi Munhungehama, underscored the broader impact of the tool, emphasizing its role in supporting data-driven decision-making and inclusive education.

"STELA offers a framework that can diagnose learning gaps, equip teachers with actionable insights, and ensure that no child is left behind," Munhungehama said. "We must champion its integration into the national education policy, advocate for the necessary resources, and provide institutional support to scale it across the country. The future of Zimbabwe is already seated in our ECD classrooms  -  what we do today will shape how well they thrive tomorrow."

As Zimbabwe moves toward digitizing early childhood education assessment, STELA represents a critical step in improving educational outcomes and ensuring equitable development for all children across the nation.