The Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Early Childhood Licensing and Follow-up organised the first Early Childhood Care and Education Forum in the Kingdom of Bahrain, bringing together local and international experts alongside representatives of 80 independent early childhood institutions.

Nawal Ibrahim Al Khater, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education, said that investment in early childhood is a national strategic priority, aligned with both national and international educational approaches, given the lasting impact of this stage on human development and sustainable progress.

The first session examined global policies and practices in early childhood education. It was moderated by Shaikha Latifa bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Director of the Evaluation and Performance Directorate, and included contributions 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 focused on practical approaches and strategies that support early childhood education. It was moderated by Fathia Ali Aish, Director of the Directorate of Early Childhood Licensing and Follow-up, with participation 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. Ministry officials, stakeholders and specialists in the field also attended.