The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, together with UNICEF, has launched a new curriculum and methodological manual on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction for preschool educational institutions. On the eve of the new school year, this important initiative has become a significant step towards integrating climate change adaptation issues into the national education system.
The new educational materials are designed to help preschool teachers introduce children to the basic concepts of climate change, adaptation, and caring for the environment through playful and age-appropriate methods. From observing the weather and caring for water to caring for plants and learning about trees and vegetation typical of Turkmenistan, the program instills respect for nature while building practical skills for climate resilience from an early age. The program also includes simple concepts about renewable energy, such as solar energy, to awaken children’s interest in environmentally sustainable solutions.
The presentation of the program brought together 36 specialists from the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, universities, teacher training colleges and kindergartens from all velayats, the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag. The participants took part in interactive sessions, discussed the practical application of the manual and tested game activities. A symbolic moment was the ceremonial presentation of a new methodological manual on adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction to the Ministry of Education.
“This program for preschool institutions demonstrates Turkmenistan’s active approach to the formation of a climate-resilient society,” said Alexander Nartea, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Turkmenistan. “By starting education on climate and emergency preparedness issues from the earliest years, we give children and their caregivers the opportunity to form a solid foundation for a conscious attitude towards the environment and sustainability throughout life.”
The creation of the preschool program was a continuation of Turkmenistan’s work to integrate adaptation to climate change into primary and secondary education. With technical support from UNICEF and the leadership of the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education, the country is building a coherent climate education system from kindergarten to high school.
The launch of the program marks a milestone in integrating climate literacy into preschool education. As the school year begins, educators across the country will begin to put the new program into practice, helping children develop the knowledge, habits, and values needed to grow up to be active builders of a sustainable future.
