For Immediate Release
Press Release
Jaloliddini Balkhi, Khatlon Province, December 7, 2023 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with UNICEF launched the new five-year, $7.5 million Inclusive Pre-Primary Education Activity. The new activity will assist the Government of Tajikistan to improve school readiness by providing modern, inclusive, student-centered, and Tajik-appropriate early childhood education. It will cover more than 200 early childhood education centers throughout the country, and be inclusive of all children, including girls, and children with disabilities.
The U.S. Government, through USAID, has been assisting the Ministry of Education and Science in modernizing the education system for over 20 years. The USAID Inclusive Pre-Primary Education Activity will promote innovative approaches for improving foundational literacy and numeracy skills of children in pre-primary through enhanced child-centered and inclusive pedagogy and use of technology.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Manuel Micaller, noted, “As we launch this important initiative, let us be guided by the principle that education knows no boundaries. It is a universal right that empowers, enlightens, and enriches lives. Success in pre-primary education, as in all education, requires more than just a curriculum. It requires our commitment to unlock the full potential of every child – regardless of background, ability, or circumstance.”
“Pre-primary education is the foundation for every child’s lifelong learning and development. Access to quality early childhood education not only gives every child a better chance of succeeding in school, but also of achieving better learning outcomes in the future.”- said UNICEF’s Representative in Tajikistan, Mr. Arthur van Diesen.
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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a lead actor driving development results. For more information, visit the USAID/Tajikistan website: https://www.usaid.gov/tajikistan and the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDTajikistan/
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child; in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
To receive more information about UNICEF and our work in Tajikistan, please visit https://www.unicef.org/tajikistan/
