Seminar Promotes Child-Centered Care and Education in Egyptian Nurseries & Kindergartens

The Embassy of Japan in Egypt and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are set to host a two-day seminar titled “Learning through Play into Early Childhood Care and Education” on July 28 and 29, 2024. 

This seminar is part of the “Project of Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development Phase 2” and aims to advance child-centered care and education in nurseries and kindergartens across Egypt.

Despite the high birth rate of approximately 2.5 million babies annually, the enrollment rate in nurseries in Egypt remains a low 8%, with kindergarten enrollment at only 30%. 

Numerous challenges persist in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in the country. Concerns include inadequate sanitary and safe environments, and insufficiently trained childcare workers who often do not consider children's developmental stages and interests. 

The concept of “learning through play” is essential for developing non-cognitive skills and fostering independent learning in children from early childhood through elementary school and beyond.

In 2021, Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity endorsed the National Quality Standards for nurseries, followed by the announcement of the National Early Childhood Development (ECD) Strategy in March 2024. 

The Egypt-Japan Education Partnership Initiative (EJEP) further underscores the commitment to enhance cooperation in education and scientific research from early childhood to post-graduate studies.

Since 1996, 75 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) specializing in ECD have been dispatched to Egypt.

 JICA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, has been empowering childcare workers, administrative staff, and parents through educational activities since 2017. 

As part of these efforts, training for 1,000 childcare workers at 500 nurseries in nine governorates has recently commenced.

The seminar will be held in the context of the 70th anniversary of Japan-Egypt development cooperation, co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan. 

It will gather childcare workers, teachers, officers of Egyptian-Japanese Schools, and other ECCE stakeholders. Due to the need for prior registration, attendees are requested to confirm their participation for interviews by 12:00 pm on July 24th.

Seminar Schedule:

Day 1: July 28 (Sunday)

- Venue: Hall of Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

- Time: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM (Interviews welcome from 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM)

Part I: Approaches to Child-Centered Care and Education

- International Trends in Child-Centered Care and Learning through Play (JICA ECD Specialist Mr. Kato)

- Enhancing ECD Network (Ex-trainees of JICA training in Japan)

Part II: Introduction to ECD-JICA Project Activities and Teaching Materials

- Introduction of ECD-JICA Project Activities and Teaching Materials (Chief Advisor of ECD JICA Project Mr. Kamitani)

- The Importance of Infant Care (Expert Ms. Ando)

- Fostering Creativity in Early Childhood (Mr. Kamitani)

The first part will be connected online to Yemen, Jordan, Georgia, etc. About 70 people related to ECCE, including representatives from the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS) and the Ministry of Education (MOTE), will attend.

Day 2: July 29 (Monday)

- Time: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM (Interviews welcome from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Practice of Learning through Play from the Age of 0

- Suggestions for Play Based on Developmental Stages (Mr. Kamitani)

- Innovations in the Educational Environment (EJS Tokkatsu Officer)

- Practice of Free Play Using Wooden Blocks (Ms. Ando)

- Significance of the Research Class (EJS Specialist Ms. Sekine)

- Group Work: What Are Non-Cognitive Skills? Let’s Experience It

Approximately 60 individuals related to ECCE, including MOSS and MOTE representatives, are expected to attend.

For more information, please refer to the following resources:

- ECD-JICA Project Phase 2: [ECD Egypt](https://www.ecd-egypt.com)

- ECD-JICA Project on Facebook: [ECD Egypt](https://www.facebook.com/ECDEGYPT)

This seminar represents a significant step towards improving early childhood education in Egypt, emphasizing the importance of a child-centered approach and the benefits of learning through play.