Arab Bureau of Education hosts early childhood care and education forum with Gulf, international participation

The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States organized the forum "Early Childhood Care and Education: Policies and Curricula (Current Situation and Global Experiences)", under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan. The event was attended by Deputy Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr. Abeer Al-Shahrani, Director General of the Bureau Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Muqbil, and a select group of officials, experts, and specialists from member states and international organizations.

The forum aimed to promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge, discuss policies, curricula, and quality assessment frameworks, and review Gulf initiatives alongside global best practices. These efforts support member states in developing early childhood care and education systems.

During the forum, Dr. Abeer Al-Shahrani emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to advance early childhood care and education, provide safe and stimulating learning environments, and design curricula that address children's needs and developmental characteristics. She praised the Bureau's role in gathering expertise, enriching educational dialogue, and enhancing cooperation among member states.

For his part, Director General Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Muqbil highlighted the special attention given by member state leaders to early childhood development. He reviewed the Bureau's work in developing curricula, educational practices, and assessment systems, stressing the importance of building integrated, evidence-based, child-centered systems that invest in teachers.

The forum also saw the launch of the first specialized regional report monitoring the state of early childhood in member countries, offering comparative analysis of policies, programs, and national experiences. The report aims to serve as a knowledge resource to support planning, decision-making, and setting development priorities. The forum is part of the Bureau's ongoing efforts to support member states, develop their education systems, strengthen Gulf and international cooperation, and provide scientific references and educational practices that enhance the quality of early childhood care and education.