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Dubai Care announces $1.7 million education fund for Bosnia

Amanda Fisher (Sarajevo) / 20 November 2013

                    The programme is intended to reach out to those most vulnerable in society, including the marginalized Roma community and children with learning disabilities.                                                                   

Dubai Cares has announced a $1.7 million programme to fund Bosnia's ailing preschool education sector, in its second partnership with the country.

A delegation from Dubai Cares, including CEO Tariq Al Gurg, officially launched the initiative – which aims to educate 7,000 children between 4 and 6 years – in Sarajevo at a press conference alongside Unicef and government partners today.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools that can be utilized in the fight against poverty. Its significance is amplified in evolving nations like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where educated youth will have to play a key role in the prosperity and growth of this country. This programme will help develop the human capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing an opportunity for more children to enrol and benefit from pre-school education,’ Al Gurg said.

The programme is intended to reach out to those most vulnerable in society, including the marginalized Roma community and children with learning disabilities.

This is the second programme Dubai Cares has funded in the country, after a smaller education programme, which promoted social unity, ran in 2008-09.

Unicef representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Florence Bauer said studies had shown quality early childhood education and parenting support provided a ‘unique opportunity’ to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.

“Support to early childhood education and early intervention in case of developmental delays represents a rare example where policies can support human development, social equity as well as economic productivity and development. Studies have shown that quality early childhood education, with a focus on the most vulnerable combined with parenting support, presents a unique opportunity to enhance education outcomes and to break the vicious cycle of poverty and social exclusion.’

The support from Dubai Cares was ‘instrumental’ to building on their existing focus on early childhood education and expanding it across the country, she said.

Both Unicef and Dubai Cares made commitments to work together on other projects internationally in the future.

– amanda@khaleejtimes.com