Damascus Hosts Workshop on Early Childhood Education Initiatives
The Early Childhood Development Directorate at the Syrian Ministry of Education has launched a strategic workshop in Damascus, aimed at establishing new frameworks for educating young children through caregivers. Held in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the three-day initiative seeks to address educational disparities for children in underserved regions of the country.
The workshop brings together representatives from the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, the Aga Khan Development Network, and various local organizations dedicated to childhood development. The core objective is to define the operational mechanisms of early childhood education, establishing clear success indicators for the short, medium, and long term. Central to the discussion is the role of caregivers and facilitators, as well as an analysis of existing data to identify gaps and challenges currently hindering childhood education across Syria.
A key priority for the organizers is extending educational reach to children between the ages of 5 and 6 living in remote and mountainous areas that lack formal kindergarten facilities. By providing remote learning content and activities overseen by trained caregivers, the Ministry hopes to bridge the educational gap between these children and their peers already enrolled in the formal school readiness programs.
Mirihan Kalash, Director of the Early Childhood Development Directorate, emphasized that the workshop marks the introduction of a new policy document for caregiver-led early education. This program is designed to create a scalable model for regions currently not served by traditional kindergarten services. According to Kalash, the initiative will leverage existing data to better understand developmental needs and customize the educational approach to ensure it remains effective and accessible.
The curriculum being developed focuses on age-appropriate activities that gradually prepare children for entry into the third tier of kindergarten. By fostering a nurturing and educational environment, the program aims to ensure a smoother transition to primary school. Officials noted that the program is also designed to help children acclimatize to a classroom setting, effectively reducing the fear or apprehension often associated with the transition to formal, structured schooling.
This workshop follows a series of recent efforts by the Ministry of Education to modernize early education standards. In late July, the ministry conducted a specialized training session in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan University, which focused on enhancing the professional capacities of those working in the early childhood sector and refining pedagogical practices that support healthy cognitive and social development in young children.
