Supported by Islamic Relief and Anera, Ministry of Education and higher Education has launched kindergarten’s curriculum framework in Palestine. This framework is a part of joint efforts for upbringing Palestinian children who are able to think and enhancing their cognitive and social knowledge. It, also, contributes to the achievements of targets related to ensuring children’s access to healthy and attractive educational environment.

This event was launched Under the auspices and participation of Dr. Sabri Seidam, Minister of Education and higher Education, Muneeb Abu Ghazaleh, Country Director at Islamic Relief, Paul Butler, Country Director at Anera, and. Moreover, the event was attended by Mr. Ali Abu Zeid. Dr. Muhammed Seyam, Dr. Elham Nasser, Consultant and pedagogical expert, the IRPAL team. Additionally, other managers of education programs, members of national teams, partner and concerned organizations in the field of KGs attended the event.

In this context, Dr. Seidam stressed the importance of promoting the realities of kindergartens due to their strategic significance. He stated the vision “Early Start, Grow Smart” which reflects the importance of this stage of children’s life.

In his speech, the Minister called for the application of all ideas on the ground since this pre-school stage has its uniqueness. He also highlighted the importance of providing all the requirements that ensure the refinement of each child’s personality, responding to their needs, and enhancing communication between child’s family and Kindergarten.

Seidam thanked all partners and other organizations that supported the development efforts mainly in the kindergartens’ sector, and expressed his appreciation for the national team in Gaza and West Bank for the work they put forth in order to produce this national framework.
After that, Mr. Muneeb Abu Ghazaleh stated that this framework is considered the result of a joint national effort, asserting that quality educational system is a direct reflection of a healthy sound society.

IRPAL is taking part in different educational projects , specifically this achievement is part of improving preschool education access and quality .It aims at building up the Palestinian child at the kindergarten stage through providing approved educational and rehabilitation programs and services under effective administrative system to contribute to the correct transfer and incorporation in the elementary education stage.

Mr. Abu Ghazala explained that Islamic Relief support fall within its focused attention given in the field of education; pointing out that Islamic Relief contributed to improving access to education through its activities such as conducting a variety of training programs, supporting recreational school activities, improving the health of children, and others.

Paul Butler, Country Director at Anera, talked about the projects and programs of Anera. Many projects focus on child welfare through rehabilitating and training teachers at kindergartens and supporting KGs’ infrastructure. He mentioned that his organization, since its establishment, provided many services in different development areas mainly in the education sector.
Butler asserted that Anera is committed to support kindergartens in Palestine, expressing his pleasure about the active partnership between his organization and the ministry. He finally thanked all education leading organizations, which are concerned about supporting this vital sector.

Mr. Abu Zeid indicated that the framework combined the theories of evolution and learning and features of the current era and it was based on scientific bases targeting children, teachers and the surrounding environment. He expressed his appreciation to the Minister for his interest in this important sector and to all the organizations and team members that contributed to the production of this work at its best.

Then, Dr. Seyam described the framework as a distinctive national achievement; stressing that the framework will ensure the provision of expertise and skills, the achievement of a clearly-defined future vision as well as the access to purposeful educational purposes. He praised the efforts of all the staff that worked on the completion of this framework.
Last of all; the expert Nasser gave a presentation reviewing the framework in terms of its goals and components; pointing out that the enrollment in kindergarten supports a better future and creates an educational road map that will increase the outputs for the child, the teacher and the parents too.

The presentation, also, included the provision of several recommendations; mainly focusing on the importance of adopting fast practical steps in order to build a Palestinian national curriculum, modifying the education strategy for kindergarten for the coming years, developing policies for the improvement of the kindergarten sector, promoting cooperation between the ministry and the institutions concerned, and providing a comprehensive program to integrate children in kindergartens.