Who we are
Sabre is a Ghana-based NGO providing children with the best possible early education.
Transforming
We transform learning environments to facilitate positive play-based learning.
How we work
We’re all about play-based learning
Join Madam Paulina for a tour of her kindergarten classroom
WHY IS PLAY-BASED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SO IMPORTANT?
“During the first five years of a child’s life, quality education, play and stimulation are crucial for development” (Theirworld, 2021). Play-based kindergarten learning is seen as the most effective for a child’s brain development and creates powerful learning opportunities across all areas of development (UNICEF; 2018).
Despite Ghana having two years of free kindergarten for 4- and 5-year-olds, and now a play-based curriculum at the policy level, teachers lack the training, resources, and skills to deliver it (UNESCO, 2021). This significantly impacts child learning outcomes. Almost 80% of children do not acquire basic skills in literacy and numeracy by the time they reach the end of primary school (UNESCO, 2022).
Sabre Education is partnering with the Ghana Government to change this.
Scaling play-based learning in Ghana and beyond
2023 – 2026 Strategic Priorities
01
Within Ghana: partnering with the government to scale play-based kindergarten teacher training nationwide, reaching 1.2 million children. We're also expanding quality play-based training for student teachers and low-fee private schools.
02
Internationally: sharing best practices and supporting other Sub-Saharan African countries in delivering quality early childhood education.
03
Advocacy & Influence: working closely with the government to improve early childhood education policies and practices. We're committed to building a sector that is coordinated and effective.
04
Pathway to Scale: documenting Ghana's pathway to scaling quality early childhood education, and we're sharing it with others.
05
Research & Development: we use implementation science to constantly evolve our approach. We're testing our teacher training in rural, disadvantaged areas of Ghana, and we're generating evidence on how best to train teachers in new regions and contexts.
“The play-based model develops proactive learners, who think critically. I can honestly say that the Ghana Education Service, alongside partners such as Sabre Education, is developing Ghana’s future leaders of tomorrow.”
Barbara Vida Ntow, Former Director for Early Childhood Education at the Ghana Education Service
