Manama: The Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Early Childhood Licensing and Follow-up has successfully hosted the first Early Childhood Care and Education Forum in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event convened both local and international experts, alongside representatives from 80 independent early childhood institutions, to discuss innovative practices and policies in the field.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Nawal Ibrahim Al Khater, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that investing in early childhood is a national strategic priority. This focus aligns with both national and international educational strategies, acknowledging the significant impact of this developmental stage on human progress and sustainable development.
The forum’s initial session delved into global policies and practices related to early childhood education. Shaikha Latifa bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Director of the Evaluation and Performance Directorate, moderated the session, which featured insights from Dr. Samah Mohamed Al Ajjawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Learning Policies Development; Professor Yousef Abdulghaffar Al Abbasi, Chair of the Education and Training Committee at the Bahrain Chamber; Farida Aboudan, Education Programme Specialist at UNESCO; and Dr. Intissar Al Banna, Director of Educational Operations for Region 3.
The second session highlighted practical approaches and strategies to support early childhood education. Moderated by Fathia Ali Aish, Director of the Directorate of Early Childhood Licensing and Follow-up, the session included contributions from Dr. Ghaida Abdulaziz Salman, Head of Education Review at the Education and Training Quality Authority; Fatima Abdulaziz Al Shaer, Lecturer in Educational Technology and Information at Bahrain Teachers College; Fatima Abdul Aal, Psychotherapy Specialist at the Ministry of Social Development; and Sabah Abdulrahman Al Zayani, Chairman of the Future Society for Youth. The event also saw the participation of ministry officials, stakeholders, and specialists in the field.