Vietnam, ASEAN step up efforts for quality early childhood development
VOV.VN - The country greatly values the position and role of early childhood care and education (ECCE), Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc said at the ASEAN ministerial meeting held on May 15 in Vientiane in Laos to ensure equitable access to quality early childhood development and care.
The event featured the participation of officials from 10 ASEAN member states and Timor Leste, alongside representative from numerous international organisations.
The discussions highlighted a theme of ECCE for a sustainable future with a view towards further enhancing co-operation and mutual support in the field both regionally and internationally.
The Vietnamese side has carried out a nationwide educational programme aimed at integrating climate change adaptation and environmental protection content to provide kindergarteners with fundamental knowledge on these issues.
He informed the conference of upcoming Vietnamese programmes which will work to ensure that all girls and boys have access to ECCE, promote environmental education and climate change response, and establish green preschool models.
Deputy Minister Phuc also underscored the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training’s commitment to sharing the region’s combined efforts and accompanying its ASEAN peers in accelerating the implementation of the bloc leaders' declaration on ECCE adopted at the ASEAN Summit in 2023 and commitments made by participants at this conference.
A joint declaration was approved at the end of the function, covering the integration of sustainable environment education in preschool teacher training programmes and the equipment of early childhood educators with knowledge and skills on climate change and natural disaster risks, among others.
