Khalifa Award Delegation Discusses Early Childhood Education Cooperation With Rwanda's Ministry

The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education, part of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, is visiting Rwanda. The delegation is meeting with various organisations in Kigali to explore collaboration opportunities. They aim to partner with Rwandan institutions through the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning, which supports global initiatives focused on early childhood development and care.

During their visit, the delegation met with Lieke Van de Wiel, UNICEF's Representative in Rwanda, and Dominic Muntanga, Deputy Representative for Programmes. Discussions centred on potential cooperation avenues. Van de Wiel highlighted UNICEF's significant contributions to early childhood education in Rwanda. This includes establishing model centres across districts and supporting national policies that promote parental involvement in child development.

The delegation also visited the Ziniya Early Childhood Development Centre in Kicukiro. They learned about the centre's mission and objectives, which focus on child care and creating a supportive environment for children's social and cognitive growth. Recognised as a leading facility, it adheres to international standards set by UNICEF to provide exceptional services for children.

In another meeting, the delegation engaged with Elodie Shami, Director-General of the Imbuto Foundation, and Anny Christa Umihoza, Deputy Director-General. They provided insights into the foundation's mission since its inception in 2001 under Rwanda's First Lady's patronage. The foundation aims to foster a healthy, educated society through programmes in education, health, and youth development.

The Imbuto Foundation offers scholarships to outstanding students from low-income families and initiatives empowering girls while supporting innovative educational projects. These efforts align with the Khalifa Award’s goals of enhancing educational opportunities for all children.

A third meeting was held with Charles Karakye, Permanent Secretary of Rwanda's Ministry of Education; Agnes Mbabazi, Advisor; and Jean Baptiste, Legal Analyst. Discussions revolved around strengthening early childhood care through collaboration while sharing successful experiences and innovative solutions.

Karakye explained that Rwanda's Ministry of Education oversees policies from basic to secondary education, including pre-primary education for children aged 3 to 6. The ministry has adopted a competency-based approach and developed teacher guides outlining specific rules for early childhood development.

Expanding Educational Services

The ministry is expanding early education services by constructing classrooms and partnering with non-governmental and religious organisations. This initiative aims to broaden access to early education services across Rwanda.

These meetings underscore the importance of international collaboration in advancing early childhood education. By working together with Rwandan institutions, the Khalifa Award aims to support initiatives that enhance educational opportunities for young children globally.

With inputs from WAM