News & Event

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched an evaluation study of the Child-Friendly Education Initiative, in a step that embodies the national direction towards promoting inclusive and quality education for every child in the Sultanate of Oman. It also organized multi-sectoral workshops in which specialists from entities concerned with the child and their development participated, as well as children of the Arab Parliament in the Sultanate of Oman, with the aim of preparing an executive action plan that extends for five years, concerned with translating the report’s outputs and recommendations into practical and sustainable programs and initiatives.

This assessment was prepared in 2025 under the supervision of a technical steering committee that included the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. It addressed the assessment of the extent to which the child-friendly education approach is appropriate and effective in the various 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 an attractive and child-friendly learning environment, promote a system that places the child at the center of the educational process, and emphasizes the principles of inclusivity and participation. The Child-Friendly Education Initiative also directly contributes to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Since the initiative was launched as a pilot phase in nine schools across three governorates in 2012, the initiative has witnessed continuous growth, leading to its generalization in schools in different educational governorates in 2022.

The assessment was conducted in a participatory and comprehensive manner, which included field consultations and visits to a number of educational governorates in the Sultanate of Oman, with the active participation of children, including children with disabilities, along with parents, school principals and teachers. This contributed to enriching the assessment process with diverse perspectives and enhanced the alignment of the results with the real experiences of the school community in the various governorates of the Sultanate.

The launch ceremony featured a welcoming speech from the Ministry of Education, delivered by Shanoona bint Salim Al-Habsi, the Sultanate of Oman's representative to the UNICEF Executive Board at the United Nations in New York and Assistant Director-General for Special Education. She emphasized the close strategic partnership between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and UNICEF, which has resulted in the implementation of numerous vital initiatives focused on the development of children and adolescents, including children with disabilities.

A representative from the Arab Children's Parliament, representing the Directorate-General of Education in the Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate, also delivered a speech, outlining the experiences and aspirations of children and youth regarding the second edition of the Child-Friendly Education Guide. The key findings of the evaluation were also presented. Following the official launch, attendees participated in participatory workshops, during which four multi-sectoral working groups were formed to develop the overall framework for an implementation plan. This included integrating key performance indicators (KPIs), clearly defining priorities and responsibilities, and establishing coordination mechanisms.

The workshop’s outputs are set contribute to the development of the second version of the Child-Friendly Education Program, in line with the pillars of the School Education Law issued in 2023, and consistent with the national priorities of Oman Vision 2040, the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), and in accordance with the latest developments in the education system in the Sultanate of Oman.

Hamad bin Ali Al-Sarhani, Advisor to the Minister of Education for Educational Administration Affairs, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman gives great attention to the child as the focus of development and the foundation for building the future, noting that the Ministry of Education is working to develop safe, stimulating and inclusive educational environments that guarantee the child’s right to quality education that keeps pace with global changes and consolidates the values ​​and skills necessary for the future.

On her part, Sumeira Chaudhry, UNICEF Representative to the Sultanate of Oman, affirmed that every child has the right to learn in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, explaining that this assessment and the subsequent practical planning embody the Sultanate of Oman’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that the education system responds to the needs and rights of all children, and emphasizing UNICEF’s pride in continuing to support the Ministry of Education in this important national effort.

This launch represents a pivotal moment in the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to establish child-friendly education standards, enhance coordination between different sectors, and ensure that national education policies are evidence-based, remain child-centered, and future-proof.