Optimizing ‘The Learning Passport’ digital platform to benefit 1,5 million children in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, 14 April 2022 – Today, UNICEF, with the Ministry of Preschool Education and ‘Bilim Makon’ Innovation Center for information and pedagogical technologies, have launched the Learning Passport “Bolalik Akademiyasi” a digital platform to support early childhood education (ECE) in Uzbekistan.

The Learning Passport is a flexible, customizable, digital learning platform, born out of a partnership between UNICEF and Microsoft. The platform is now being used to support the learning of millions of children across the world.

The platform will equip ECE teachers with professional development courses; lessons plans; supplementary readings, and digital teaching and learning resources based on National Curriculum “Ilk Kadam” and Early Learning and Development Standards.

Evidence has shown that 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 the millions of pre-primary aged children. Their life-long physical, mental and financial outcomes depend on support they receive during this time”, said Agrippina Shin, Minster of Preschool Education.

This tech innovative idea is meant to enable early learners across the country to access learning resources and high-quality courses regardless of whether they are in school or not.

“Evidence makes a compelling case for investing in the early years. Nurturing, protecting, promoting and supporting children in their early is transformative and the return on investment of early education can 16 times more”, said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “This is why in Uzbekistan, UNICEF has taken an innovative approach to use the Learning Passport - accessible learning platform to improve knowledge and skills of teachers and parents of children aged 3-6.”

"Our platform “Bolalik akademiyasi” is, first of all, the world of quality education. Pedagogies can use tasks based on modern methods, use additional resources for self-development, and parents can discover useful information on child care and upbringing,” Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva said.

“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. The learning Passport has great benefits for personal and professional development of teachers”, said Oyatullo Rakhmatullaev, Director of ‘Bilim Makon’ Center.

Parents and key caregivers provide the foundation children need for healthy development. The Learning Passport is designed to support them through home-based learning guidance; library of simple activities & parenting tips; instructions on joint play; increased parent-child engagement.

The Learning Passport “Bolalik Akademiyasi” is also easy in use for children. They can play games to develop literacy, numeracy, & socio-emotional skills; access E-books in local languages; watch edutainment videos and use curated library of age-appropriate content.

Launching the Learning Passport “Bolalik Akademiyasi”, Uzbekistan aims to reach nearly 20,000 teachers, benefiting around 1,5 million children with improved learning and developmental outcomes.

Notes to Editors:

LP can be accessed at https://bolakadem.uz

Media contacts:

Maftuna Karimova

Project manager

Phone: +998 91132 68 64

E-mail: m.karimova@innocenter.uz

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Vazira Nazarova

ECD Officer

Phone: +99893 380 30 07

E-mail: vnazarova@unicef.org

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Nargiza Egamberdieva

Communication Officer

Phone: +99893 380 34 19

E-mail: negamberdieva@unicef.org