Uzbekistan’s solution to a lack of preschools? Kindergartens on wheels

5 years in the past, only one in 4 youngsters went to preschool in Uzbekistan. Providing an answer is a fleet of book-filled buses that take schooling to rural areas

Each morning within the distant mountains of Uzbekistan, preschool youngsters climb into vivid yellow faculty buses kitted out with playdough, books, toys and absolutely skilled academics. They’ll spend the following few hours portray, enjoying, making and singing. Will probably be their first style of one thing essential to nurturing their future potential: an early years schooling.

5 years in the past, only one in 4 youngsters within the nation went to preschool, and in distant areas, only one in ten. The federal government got here up with a novel answer: a toes of specifically designed faculty buses that will take schooling to youngsters aged between three and 7 in essentially the most distant areas.

Since they launched in 2017, preschool enrolment has jumped from 27 per cent to 67 per cent, and goals to be at 80 per cent by 2026.

The toes of buses journey by way of the mountains, stopping in a special village every day, offering three hours of play-based studying to as much as 16 youngsters at a time. Every bus is fitted with photo voltaic panels to run air con and a microwave oven, plus a tiny toilet. They’ll operate fully off grid – a should in a area the place electrical energy and operating water will be scarce.

“Giving all youngsters entry to preschool schooling that’s inclusive, caring and inventive is essential,” stated Stefania Giannini, assistant director-general for schooling, Unesco. “Uzbekistan’s Kindergarten On Wheels mission gives a mannequin that may encourage international locations world wide to succeed in the identical purpose.”

Primary picture: Ministry of Preschool Schooling of Uzbekistan

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