Dubai: Dubai Cares has launched a two-year Early Childhood Education programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is expected to benefit 7,000 children aged four to six.
The programme, which represents Dubai Cares second project in the country, will be implemented in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), said Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Cares, who is leading a delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The programme aims to increase access to early learning programmes prior to primary school entry, and improve the physical, socio-emotional and cognitive development of more than 7,000 children over a two-year period in 45 municipalities across the country. It also places special emphasis on vulnerable children, such as Roma children and children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Conceptualised and set up by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares is dedicated to increasing access to quality primary education for children in developing countries. Al Gurg, said “Education is one of the most powerful tools that can be utilised in the fight against poverty. Its significance is amplified in evolving nations like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where educated youth will have to play a key role in the prosperity and growth of this country.”
He added that this programme will help develop the human capital in Bosnia, providing an opportunity for more children to enrol and benefit from pre-school education. “Children in 30 per cent of all municipalities across Bosnia will now have access to pre-school education.”
Dr Zlatko Lagumdžija, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “I hope that the cooperation between Dubai Cares with the relevant institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be continued in the future, as a product of our mutual satisfaction, because these projects are a direct investment in children and knowledge, the two highest values for the future of our country and the whole world.”
Unicef has been supporting the implementation of the Framework Law on Preschool Education in Bosnia, through close cooperation with state, cantonal and municipal governments for the expansion of quality preschool education throughout the country.
Unicef has also been supporting early detection of developmental delays, parenting education and individualised approaches for vulnerable children.
Florence Bauer, Unicef representative in Bosnia said: “Support to early childhood education and early intervention in case of developmental delays represents a rare example where policies can support human development, social equity as well as economic productivity and development…. The support from Dubai Cares is instrumental in building on initial results and expanding access to quality pre-school education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
According to the latest figures by the United Nations, globally, at least 250 million children cannot read, write or count well, including those with four years of education, and 57 million primary aged children remain without access to school.
With research indicating that investing in the early development of human capital can lead to the greatest economic and social returns, Dubai Cares has been working towards eliminating the social and economic obstacles that keep primary-age children, in developing countries around the world, from going to school and learning.
