Oman’s Commitment to Early Childhood Development

Muscat, August 28, 2024 – The Sultanate of Oman continues to demonstrate its commitment to nurturing the youngest members of society and to building a strong foundation for the nation’s future through Oman Vision 2040, the Child Law, and the 2023 Education Law. In support of the nation’s ambitious vision for early childhood, UNICEF Oman has worked with key stakeholders to advance efforts to provide comprehensive services that ensure every child in the Sultanate can reach their full potential.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Development, UNICEF Oman presented a draft study on establishing Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) Centers. The draft report, developed through a consultative process involving key stakeholders and partners, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, Sultan Qaboos University, representatives of Oman Vision 2040 and others, envisions that these IECD centers will meet the critical needs of children in their earliest stages of development and also offer services for children with disabilities, including early detection, appropriate rehabilitation. Discussions also centered on ensuring that the IECD Centers align with global good practices and developing a robust strategy guiding the operationalization of these centers.

Further underscoring Oman’s commitment to early childhood, another workshop was organized by the Ministry of Education this week, in collaboration with UNICEF Oman, to present the final costing and financing scenarios of its comprehensive Early Childhood Education (ECE) study. This discussion brought together key partners from the Ministry of Social Development, and the Ministry of Health, among other partners. The workshop provided insights into the financial and strategic pathways necessary to implement effective early childhood education programs across the Sultanate.

Reflecting on the week, UNICEF Oman Representative H.E. Sumaira Chowdhury stated, "The first 1,000 days of a child's life are crucial for their development, and our strategic goals align with Oman’s dedication to ensuring that every child, including those with disabilities, receives the highest quality care and education during these formative years."

The discussions in both workshops emphasized the alignment of these initiatives with Oman Vision 2040 and the 2023 Education Law, affirming early childhood development as a right for every child in Oman. These efforts reflect the nation’s commitment to inclusive education, lifelong learning, and a knowledge-based society. The collaboration between UNICEF Oman, the government, and stakeholders is paving the way for a brighter future, ensuring every child in Oman can thrive from the earliest stages of life.

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• An overview of the Global Report on Early Childhood Care and Education: The right to a strong foundation can provide further insights about the early childhood care and education which underscores the persistent challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 and highlights the required commitments and pathways to be undertaken by governments and partners – Read more about the report Here
• Overview of the situation of Early Childhood Development in the Middle East and North Africa Region – Read more Here