Oman, UNICEF Launch Study to Evaluate Child-Friendly Education Initiative

Oman and UNICEF Review Progress of Child-Friendly Education Initiative

Muscat:  The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched today a study to evaluate the Child-Friendly Education Initiative as part of national efforts to enhance inclusive and quality education for all children in the Sultanate of Oman.

The assessment was prepared in 2025 under the supervision of a technical steering committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit.

The study reviewed the effectiveness and suitability of the child-friendly education approach across different components of the education system in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Child-Friendly Education Initiative was jointly developed by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF to create supportive and attractive educational environments that place the child at the center of the learning process while promoting inclusiveness and participation.

The initiative contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 related to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The initiative was first introduced in 2012 as a pilot programme in nine schools across three governorates before being expanded to schools in various educational governorates in 2022.

The assessment process included field consultations and visits to several governorates in the Sultanate of Oman, with participation from children, including children with disabilities, alongside parents, school principals, and teachers. This contributed to enriching the evaluation process and reflecting the experiences of the school community.

Shanoona bint Salem Al Habsi, the Sultanate of Oman’s representative to the UNICEF Executive Board at the United Nations and Assistant Director General for Special Education at the Ministry of Education, affirmed the importance of the strategic partnership between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and UNICEF in supporting initiatives related to childhood and adolescent development, including programmes for children with disabilities.

The event included presentations highlighting the views and aspirations of children and youth regarding the second edition of the Child-Friendly Education Guide, in addition to reviewing the key findings of the evaluation study.

A workshop was also organized with the participation of specialists from entities concerned with child development and members of the Arab Parliament for Children in the Sultanate of Oman to develop a five-year executive action plan aimed at translating the study’s recommendations into sustainable programmes and initiatives.

The workshop included discussion sessions focused on preparing a general framework for the executive plan, including performance indicators, priorities, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms.

The outcomes of the workshop will contribute to developing the second edition of the Child-Friendly Education Programme in line with the School Education Law issued in 2023, Oman Vision 2040 priorities, and the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).

Hamad bin Ali Al Sarhani, Advisor to the Minister of Education for Educational Administration Affairs, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman places significant importance on children as a foundation for future development, noting that the Ministry seeks to provide safe, stimulating, and inclusive educational environments that guarantee quality education aligned with future requirements.

For her part, Soumya Guha Chowdhury, UNICEF Representative to the Sultanate of Oman, stated that every child has the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment, affirming UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Education in strengthening child-centered educational systems.