Early childhood education paves the way for learning
UNICEF helps children in Aleppo through early childhood education to build a solid foundation for learning
Rural Aleppo – Pre-primary education helps to build a foundation for learning. In rural Aleppo, UNICEF, through partners, is offering pre-school-age children an opportunity to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills as well as engage in educational entertaining activities provided in classes at community centres.
“Early Childhood Education is an important programme. It supports children in starting their first grade of primary education smoothly and it introduces them to the learning environment.”
“I want to become a pilot and own an airplane. But for now, I am happy with the bicycle,” said Dia, 6. He was excited to join the early childhood education classes with his two younger siblings at a UNICEF -supported centre in Tal Aran, rural Aleppo. “My two younger siblings will start going to summer school! It is the first time they will go to school. It is very close to our house, so my parents don’t have to worry about them. They’re excited for them,” Dia added.
“My older brother has a backpack and goes to school. Now, I will do the same,” said Ritaj, 4, Dia’s little sister. She got excited about school when she saw her brother enjoys it. “I want to become an Arabic teacher. But now it is too early because I don’t have enough information about teaching. In the future I will. I might teach at this centre,” added Ritaj.
Dia’s and Ritaj’s brother Ahmad, 3, was also excited about the learning and fulfilling his dreams in the future. “This is my school. I will come here with my sister. I want to study to become a police officer in the future, so I can stop people from doing bad things,” he said.
“My dad enrolled us in this centre for the summer. I am excited to come here with my brother,” said little Ritaj. “The exterior walls of the place are blue. It is my brother’s favourite colour. Inside they’re pink, it is my favourite,” she added.
Five-year-old Mariam will be sharing Ritaj’s and Ahmad’s exciting learning journey at the same centre in Tal Aran. “I want to become a doctor in the future. I think girl doctors are cool,” she said. “I know how to pronounce the alphabet but not how to write it. I will learn how to do so here,” Mariam added.
Since 2022, some 13,800 children, between the ages of 3 and 5, have benefitted from UNICEF’s early childhood education support in Aleppo governorate, in formal and non-formal settings. They have become better equipped to attend school by the time they reach school-age. The support was made possible thanks to funding from Education Cannot Wait, EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the Government of Canada and Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
