Egypt Launches Mosque-Based Kindergarten Pilot to Expand Preschool Access
A new initiative has been launched in Egypt to use mosque spaces for kindergarten activities during morning hours, following directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to improve inter-ministerial coordination in delivering public services. The plan was announced in a joint statement released on Wednesday, Ahram Online reported.
The project was formalized through a cooperation protocol signed by Religious Endowments Minister Osama El-Azhari and Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif at the Endowments Ministry.
According to the agreement, the Education Ministry will assign trained teachers to conduct sessions that include both educational and recreational elements. Learning tools and playground equipment will be provided, and all data-x-items will be cleared from mosque premises before midday prayers.
Initially, one mosque per village will be selected for the pilot phase, with adjustments based on outcomes and capacity.
El-Azhari highlighted the potential role of mosques in promoting early learning, literacy, moral values, and national identity, particularly in light of increasing exposure to digital content. Abdel Latif, for his part, reaffirmed the Education Ministry’s focus on reinforcing ethical and academic development during early childhood.
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The initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to expand access to preschool education. Data from the Ministry of Social Solidarity indicates that Egypt currently has 16,560 registered nurseries, serving only 8 percent of the country’s needs. A total of 621,806 children are enrolled in these facilities.
In June, the ministry launched a nationwide survey to assess existing nursery infrastructure, enhance operations, and increase enrollment.
Qena Governorate has been selected as the pilot location. It is home to approximately 3.7 million residents, representing 3.4 percent of Egypt’s population, according to figures from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
Source: Agencies
