Ministry of Education and Science and UNICEF launch digital innovations to support early learning and child development in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 23 November 2021 – Today, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Nadira Djusupbekova, and UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Afshan Khan, unveiled two new digital initiatives that will support parents and teachers across the country in ensuring optimal child development and early learning at home and in school, in and beyond the current context of the pandemic. These are “Bebbo”, a mobile parenting application for parents of young children^[1], as well as the "Learning Passport", an online education platform targeted for preschool educators and parents.

Bebbo - which will initially be launched in 11 countries and territories across Europe^[2] - will provide parents across Kyrgyzstan with expert advice on an extensive range of child health and development issues, including nutrition, breastfeeding, early learning, the value of play, responsive parenting, and child protection and safety. Available in Kyrgyz and Russian languages, this mobile app also includes features that allow parents to track developmental milestones, record vaccinations, health check-ups, and other key events during the first years of their children's lives.

The Learning Passport is a global digital learning platform delivered by UNICEF and powered by Microsoft, which gives students access to mobile application-based or browser-based classes that do not require a consistent web connection. In Kyrgyzstan, UNICEF has worked closely with local education experts to tailor the Learning Passport – which will be known in the country as "Bilimduu Muun" (“Educated Generation”) - to the national context, focusing on building capacities and resources for pre-school teachers, so they can provide the best support for their students’ early learning. Initially targeted for pre-school teachers, the plan is to gradually expand the use of the platform to parents and school-level children and teachers as well.

"Digitalization and online education are crucial for our present and future," said Ms. Djusupbekova. "By taking advantage of the opportunities that technologies give us, we can improve access to education for pre-schoolers, schoolchildren and their parents, and provide them with high-quality education tools."

"Ensuring the best start in life for children depends on the support they receive at home, as well as in early childhood education settings," said Ms. Khan. "Through Bebbo, parents can feel empowered and supported to excel in fulfilling their parental role, while the Learning Passport will provide an endless online resource to support quality early learning for every child, regardless of their location and internet access."

The development and adaptation of the Learning Passport and Bebbo are in line with the National Educational Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2021-2040 and with the Education Action Plan for 2021-2023.

[1] The application is suitable for parents of children aged 0-6.

[2] Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Greece, *Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The “Bebbo” is available on Play Market and App Store. *All references to Kosovo should be understood in reference to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.