Introduction

Introduction

 

Introduction

© UNICEF Turkmenistan/2004/Pirozzi

Investing in education is crucial

Free access to primary education is guaranteed by law to all children in Turkmenistan. Although there is some disagreement between official statistics and household surveys as to enrolment, attendance and dropout levels, all sources agree that the system of education can benefit from improvement. Improving the physical facilities of urban, suburban and rural schools represents another priority area for UNICEF. 

The quality of education, including the use of outdated Soviet-era teaching methodologies, remains a major concern. Pre-school enrolments are 18 per cent, indicating a gap in the adequate preparation of young children for the school experience. While there is little if any disparity in terms of gender or urban/rural areas, marginalised groups of children, including minorities, children with disabilities and children with special educational needs face difficulties of access to schooling. 

UNICEF has designed programme strategies to address opportunities to impact educational activities at the country and regional level.  The first step, which was taken during the previous Country Programme cycle, was to strengthen key institutional systems aimed at improving the design and delivery of quality education services. Support was given to the introduction of the "Global Education" concept, which aims to introduce new rights-based and child-centered teaching methodologies and curriculum contents in basic education in Turkmenistan. The initiative is currently being carried out in 18 target schools in all 5 regions, including in the capital of Ashgabat.

As part of a continuation of the Global Education programme, the rights-based concept of Child Friendly Schools was introduced into the National Plan of Actions on Education For All (EFA). As part of the process of reform, technical assistance was also provided to develop an in-service teachers training scheme and curriculum development.

The present UNICEF education programme in Turkmenistan is focused on two main initiatives: inclusive basic education and the promotion of a child-friendly learning environment (CFLE) in both pre-schools and primary schools.

The basic education programme seeks to promote the cognitive, psychosocial and intellectual capacity of children in early childhood and pre-adolescence.  It focuses on 3-7 year old children to prepare them for formal and primary school and for 8-12 year old children in basic compulsory schools.  The Early Childhood Development Project is a cross-sectoral programme designed to address the developmental years and includes interventions to support good health/nutrition, early childhood education and appropriate, positive family and community environments in support of these goals. 

The Child Friendly Learning Environment initiative promotes environments conducive to learning, beginning with the home, the school and the community at large. The CFLE is grounded in principles of child rights and promotes an environment that is inclusive, effective, safe, protective, and benefiting of an involved community.

These initiatives will be complemented with strengthening Education Information Management System, at both community and national level, with a special attention to setting up a disaggregated data/information system, which can illustrate the problems of girls' education more clearly; and the promotion of Life skills education in both formal and informal settings for young people and adolescents.