UNESCO has chosen Sharjah as the first Arab city to implement the ECCE-PATT tool, recognising its leadership in early childhood education.
SHARJAH: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has selected Sharjah as the first Arab city to pilot its Early Childhood Care and Education – Progress Assessment and Transformation Tool (ECCE-PATT). The move underscores the Emirate’s sustained efforts to advance early childhood systems with global best practices.
The pilot aims to develop a detailed self-assessment of Sharjah’s early childhood education sector, documenting achievements, identifying gaps and highlighting promising practices. The initiative will help shape targeted improvements and policy reforms to enhance the quality of education and care services for young children.
Sharjah was chosen due to its integrated approach, combining supportive policies, strong institutional collaboration, and evidence-based governance. The selection builds on the Emirate’s momentum following the 2023 Regional Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education, hosted in Sharjah and held in partnership with UNESCO and local institutions.
Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority, said the selection aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and reflects the Emirate’s long-standing commitment to raising early education standards. “The outcomes of this pilot will support the development of targeted improvement plans that enhance the quality of care and education in accordance with international standards,” she stated.
UNESCO’s Dr. Borhene Chakroun noted that “lifelong learning begins in the earliest years,” praising Sharjah’s role in advancing foundational learning and system-wide reform.
A high-level closed policy dialogue will also take place on February 14 during the Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education. The session will bring together regional and global education leaders to discuss the pilot’s early findings and explore practical steps for long-term development.
