emirates7 - The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education highlighted the importance of employing innovative techniques in preschool programs and creating a rich, stimulating environment for young children during their formative years. This approach aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and promote creative problem-solving using established scientific methods.
This discussion took place at a webinar organized by the Award's general secretariat, which aimed to present the goals and vision of the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field. The award is presented annually on a global scale and includes two categories: Best Research and Studies and Best Projects, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies, and Practices.
Notable speakers at the webinar, titled “Enhancing Early Education and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” included Professor Nirmala Rao, the Serena H. C. Yang Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education at the University of Hong Kong; Candice Potgieter, CEO of “Unlimited Child” and a previous winner of the award; and Dr. Milagros Norris, Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research. The session was moderated by Professor Steven Barnett, also Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, USA.
In his opening remarks, Professor Barnett underscored the significance of the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field, which aims to enhance various aspects of early education, including social, physical, mental, and emotional development. He emphasized the importance of enriching innovative educational programs with research and advanced teaching methodologies in early childhood education, as well as motivating teachers to be agents of change through best practices.
Dr. Barnett also stressed the need to activate and encourage the involvement of centers, institutions, and educational companies that specialize in early childhood education. He highlighted successful experiences and practices of parents and caregivers dedicated to early childhood development and encouraged the adoption of effective educational methodologies in institutions across the country.
During the webinar, he outlined the criteria for the two award categories. For the Best Research and Studies category, the evaluation focuses on innovation, importance, methodological accuracy, and impact. The judging criteria for the Best Programs, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies, and Practices category differ slightly, emphasizing innovation, importance, impact, and feasibility/sustainability.
Professor Nirmala Rao discussed the critical role of early learning, advocating for the launch of advanced early childhood education programs and effective models to ensure comprehensive care and quality in early education systems. She highlighted the necessity of implementing crucial policies and practices to enhance access and quality in early childhood education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Candice Potgieter addressed the influence of social entrepreneurship on early learning in these countries, advocating for the sharing of innovative approaches to improve access and quality in early childhood development services. She stated that social entrepreneurship plays a vital role in enhancing early childhood development programs by integrating technology, community models, and policy reforms to tackle challenges in early learning. These initiatives can help address systemic barriers and scalable frameworks for early childhood development while fostering partnerships between government, private sectors, and communities to establish a more inclusive and high-quality early education ecosystem.
The webinar concluded with Dr. Milagros Norris emphasizing the need for systematic financing for early childhood development, urging stakeholders to consider comprehensive strategies to support every child. She reviewed innovative revenue strategies and highlighted the high costs associated with failing to invest in quality early childhood development, especially in low-income nations. Dr. Norris stressed the importance of building capacity at both national and international levels and aligning funding across health, education, and social protection systems to ensure sustainable financing for early childhood programs in the future.
This discussion took place at a webinar organized by the Award's general secretariat, which aimed to present the goals and vision of the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field. The award is presented annually on a global scale and includes two categories: Best Research and Studies and Best Projects, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies, and Practices.
Notable speakers at the webinar, titled “Enhancing Early Education and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” included Professor Nirmala Rao, the Serena H. C. Yang Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education at the University of Hong Kong; Candice Potgieter, CEO of “Unlimited Child” and a previous winner of the award; and Dr. Milagros Norris, Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research. The session was moderated by Professor Steven Barnett, also Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, USA.
In his opening remarks, Professor Barnett underscored the significance of the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field, which aims to enhance various aspects of early education, including social, physical, mental, and emotional development. He emphasized the importance of enriching innovative educational programs with research and advanced teaching methodologies in early childhood education, as well as motivating teachers to be agents of change through best practices.
Dr. Barnett also stressed the need to activate and encourage the involvement of centers, institutions, and educational companies that specialize in early childhood education. He highlighted successful experiences and practices of parents and caregivers dedicated to early childhood development and encouraged the adoption of effective educational methodologies in institutions across the country.
During the webinar, he outlined the criteria for the two award categories. For the Best Research and Studies category, the evaluation focuses on innovation, importance, methodological accuracy, and impact. The judging criteria for the Best Programs, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies, and Practices category differ slightly, emphasizing innovation, importance, impact, and feasibility/sustainability.
Professor Nirmala Rao discussed the critical role of early learning, advocating for the launch of advanced early childhood education programs and effective models to ensure comprehensive care and quality in early education systems. She highlighted the necessity of implementing crucial policies and practices to enhance access and quality in early childhood education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Candice Potgieter addressed the influence of social entrepreneurship on early learning in these countries, advocating for the sharing of innovative approaches to improve access and quality in early childhood development services. She stated that social entrepreneurship plays a vital role in enhancing early childhood development programs by integrating technology, community models, and policy reforms to tackle challenges in early learning. These initiatives can help address systemic barriers and scalable frameworks for early childhood development while fostering partnerships between government, private sectors, and communities to establish a more inclusive and high-quality early education ecosystem.
The webinar concluded with Dr. Milagros Norris emphasizing the need for systematic financing for early childhood development, urging stakeholders to consider comprehensive strategies to support every child. She reviewed innovative revenue strategies and highlighted the high costs associated with failing to invest in quality early childhood development, especially in low-income nations. Dr. Norris stressed the importance of building capacity at both national and international levels and aligning funding across health, education, and social protection systems to ensure sustainable financing for early childhood programs in the future.