Context
In 2019, Jordan has made early childhood education (ECE) a national priority, aiming to ensure that all children have access to Kindergarten 2 (KG2), the final year before primary school, by 2027. To achieve this, the Ministry of Education plans to create over 2,000 new kindergarten groups, requiring 315 classrooms per year. However, public schools face significant challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, insufficient facilities, and limited resources. Refugee-hosting areas such as Amman, Irbid, Mafraq, and Zarqa are under particular strain due to population growth and increasing demand for education.
Objective
All children in Jordan, including refugees and children with disabilities, have increased access to high-quality, inclusive early childhood education.
Approach
The project supports the Jordanian Ministry of Education in increasing access to early childhood education through specific measures:
• Rehabilitating public schools: The project improves learning environments by converting unused facilities into child-friendly kindergarten rooms and training teaching staff in playful learning approaches.
• Expanding private, non-profit kindergartens: The project works with organisations and teachers to increase kindergarten places, ensuring more children can enrol in these facilities.
• Supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds: Accelerated learning programmes help children who were unable to enrol in public schools, while 50 children with disabilities and their families receive assistance to access inclusive early childhood education alongside their peers.