On 20 February, a “Direct Dialogue” meeting on the topic “Accelerating Access to Pre-Primary Education” was held at the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, organized with the participation of the Government of Turkmenistan, the United Nations and UNICEF, as reported by the education.gov.tm.
The meeting brought together representatives of the leadership of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, relevant state bodies, the National Institute of Education, as well as the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, the UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, Ms. Jalpa Ratna. In addition, experts from the UN and UNICEF offices, including international specialists who joined online.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, and the Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan delivered opening remarks for general and pre-school institutions, Mr. Alexander Amanov, and the UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, Ms. Jalpa Ratna. In their statements, they emphasized the strategic importance of investments in early childhood development, the need to expand access to quality pre-primary education, and the importance of intersectoral cooperation for the sustainable development of the education system.
During the meeting, three key areas were discussed.
Participants reviewed three main issues: the results of the pilot parenting support programme and prospects for its systemic integration; preparation for the pilot launch of a one-year, half-day, free pre-primary preparation program starting in September 2026 (including organizational, methodological, staffing and financial aspects); and the development of a roadmap and phased expansion of the program starting in September 2027, with a focus on the effectiveness of investments and sustainable mechanisms for financing, monitoring and evaluation was suggested.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in early childhood development, supporting parents and expanding access to quality pre-primary education, and agreed to continue joint work on implementing the agreed initiatives and preparing practical next steps.
