TOMAKTABI.TJ: Introducing the digital platform for early child education to benefit over million children in Tajikistan
The innovative initiative is being launched in six countries across Europe and Central Asia, including in Tajikistan to support early childhood education priorities and expand participation and quality in the early childhood education sector.

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Dushanbe, 31st May, 2022—Today, UNICEF in Tajikistan together with the Ministry of Education and Science launched the global UNICEF & Microsoft digital platform for pre-primary education called "Learning Passport". The adapted name of the platform for Tajikistan is "Magic Box", which is available for access through the TOMAKTABI.TJ website.
The Learning Passport (TOMAKTABI.TJ) is a flexible, customizable, digital learning platform, born out of a partnership between UNICEF and Microsoft. The platform was originally created in response to the migrant crisis, to ensure that learning was possible on-the-move and that a record of a child’s learning wasn’t lost during transition. However, the platform has much broader applicability, and is now being scaled up to support the learning of 5.4 million children across the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, out of which 1.5 million of children live in Tajikistan. Countries in this region have taken an innovative approach to use this accessible learning platform to achieve ECE priorities through improving the knowledge and skills of teachers and parents of ECE-aged children.
Getting the ECE provision right is vital, as 90% of a child’s brain develops by the age of 5. During this time, parents and teachers can help a child build strong foundations for lifelong learning by creating nurturing and stimulating environments in which they can learn, develop and thrive. This critical period only occurs once in a lifetime—for this reason it is crucial to pre-primary aged children in Tajikistan and their life-long physical, mental and financial outcomes that they receive the greatest amount of support during this time.
In Tajikistan, UNICEF in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science worked on the customization and adaptation of the Learning Passport platform for the ECE sector. Teachers have one of the most influential roles in a child's life. When teachers receive professional development training, they learn new skills and knowledge they can apply in the classroom. Children experience positive physical, emotional and educational growth when their teachers utilize up-to-date and relevant educational practices. Building their knowledge and skills and staying up to date with developments in the field not only benefits the children they teach, but it has great benefits for their own personal and professional development.
"The new digital platform for early childhood education we are launching today has been adapted jointly by the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan and UNICEF. We plan to use this platform in all preschool institutions in the country to provide more children with access to early learning. Within the National Strategy for digitalization of education, we will be able to make a common contribution to the transformation of preschool education in order to provide access to quality education for every child in Tajikistan."

Children thrive when their parents are confident and well-equipped. Providing quality parenting and family support, especially in the first five years of a child’s life, is a key accelerator to the achievement of results for all children. Parents and key caregivers provide the foundation children need for healthy development. Supporting parents to thrive means supporting children to thrive. Children form secure attachments through positive interactions dependent on the responsiveness of parents during this critical period.
"Magic Box (TOMAKTABI.TJ) is a digital solution for parents as it provides age-appropriate learning and development activities including games, educational activities, online story books, videos and additional support for parents of children with learning disabilities. These resources are accessible on-line and off-line through mobile phones, based on the Global Learning Passport platform, which has been developed jointly by UNICEF, Microsoft and the University of Cambridge." noted Mr. Osama Makkawi Khogali, UNICEF's Representative in Tajikistan.

These last years has been a transformational period for many, and UNICEF has been working to identify opportunities in challenging situations. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated school closures highlighted weaknesses in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sub-sector, as many pre-primary education classes were the first to close and the last to open. Young children are especially at risk of accumulating gaps in foundational skills due to school closures. Over 80% of young children in Tajikistan (3-6 y,o) don't have access to pre-primary education. Arranging distance support for pre-primary-aged children during COVID-19 was also impossible. The pandemic has reinforced that increased focus on ECE is vital.
UNICEF in Tajikistan is excited about the following elements of the Learning Passport platform (TOMAKTABI.TJ) that are designed to support teachers and parents:
For Educators
- Professional development courses
- Lessons Plans
- Supplementary readings
- Digital teaching and learning resources
For Parents
- Home-based learning guidance
- Library of simple activities & parenting tips
- Instructions on joint play
- Increased parent-child engagement
For Children
- Play games to develop literacy, numeracy, & socio-emotional skills
- Access to E-books in their local languages
- Edutainment videos
- Curated library of age-appropriate content
With the launch of the Learning passport (TOMAKTABI.TJ), UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Science aim to reach every early childhood education teacher and parent in Tajikistan, benefiting a total number of 1,5 million children under age 6 years old children with improved learning and developmental outcomes.
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Notes to Editors:
The Learning Passport ("Magic Box") can be accessed at https://tomaktabi.tj/
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About UNICEF
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. UNICEF operates in Tajikistan since 1993.
To receive more information about UNICEF and our work in Tajikistan, please visit https://www.unicef.org/tajikistan/
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