ECD-JICA Project Phase 2
Background of the Project:
- Based on the prominent relations between Egypt and Japan, H.E. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and H.E. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the leaders of the two countries have announced the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership (EJEP) that is mandated to enhance cooperation between the two nations in the field of Education in 2016. and Scientific Research.
- A Steering Committee has been established for EJEP headed by H.E. Amb. Fayza Aboulnaga, and H.E. Prof. Hany Helal, Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research from the Egyptian side, and the H.E. Ambassador of Japan in Egypt from the Japanese side, with the membership of representatives from the Egyptian and Japanese entities (concerned Ministries, the Embassy and JICA).
- Under the umbrella of EJEP, the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS) signed a Record of Discussion for Technical Cooperation with JICA for the Project for the Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development (ECD-JICA Project Phase 1). The project was successfully implemented during 2017 to 2021, having the following implemented:
(1) Training for nursery facilitators,
(2) Development of "Activity Booklets" to introduce and disseminate "Learning through Play,” tailored to children's growth and developmental stages,
(3) Dissemination workshops for parents and community people with the slogan "Eat well, Play well, and Sleep well,”
and other activities.
※Please see the accomplishment report in the Homepage.
- The Ministry of Social Solidarity has endorsed the National Quality Standards for Nurseries (NQS) in 2021 and worked to integrate all the efforts of stakeholders to improve the quality of Early Childhood Development in Egypt (especially childcare services in nurseries).
- In order to ensure the above, the Ministry with JICA has moved forward to Phase 2 of the project for the period of August 2022 to August 2026.
Project Purpose and Outputs:
To increase access and to improve the quality of childcare service with the following outputs:
Output 1: Strengthening the Human resource development system for nursery personnel.
Output 2: Enhancing Monitoring & Evaluation system for nurseries.
Output 3: Awareness raising for positive parenting, Learning through Play, sound nutrition, and inclusiveness.
Target Governorates:
9 Governorates: Port Said, Kafr El Sheikh, Suez, Ismailia, Qalioubeya, Aswan, Fayoum, Giza, and Alexandria.
※Governorates under Hayah Kareema’s target Governorates, such as Fayoum, Qalioubeya, Aswan, Ismailia, and Alexandria were chosen.
Note: Hayah Kareema is the national initiative endorsed by H.E President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This initiative aims to improve the living conditions and daily life of Egyptian citizens to have a decent life.
Beneficiaries:
The direct beneficiaries of the ECD-JICA Project are the nursery managers, the nursery facilitators, the parents/communities, and the administrators in Directorates.
Needless to say, the indirect beneficiaries are children aged 0 to 4 years old. Having the improvement of quality service, the Project aims to contribute to the development of children as described in the National Quality Standards. In particular, it is expected that the cognitive, behavioral, and motor capacities of children in the target nurseries will be improved through "Learning through Play," which has been promoted by the Japanese cooperation for three decades.
Empowering nursery facilitators is the key to success.
Main Activities:
Output 1: Strengthening Human resource development system for nursery personnel.
1-1 Develop basic skills and targets that should be acquired by personnel in nurseries model training curriculum, and training modules in accordance with the National Quality Standards (NQS).
1-2 Implement training of trainers (TOT) for field trainers who conduct training for nursery personnel.
1-3 Certify those field trainers who have completed the training as an official recognition for their professional qualifications.
1-4 Roll out the training for nursery personnel in the target areas.
1-5 Develop the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) on human resource development for adaptation by MoSS.
Output 2: Enhancing Monitoring & Evaluation system for nurseries.
2-1 Develop necessary guidelines and associated training materials.
2-2 Conduct training for MoSS staff on nursery monitoring and the draft SOPs.
2-3 Implement the model nursery monitoring system in the targeted areas.
2-4 Revise the SOPs for monitoring-related activities for adaptation by MoSS.
Output 3: Awareness raising for positive parenting, learning through Play, inclusiveness, and others related to ECD.
3-1 Conduct face-to-face awareness campaign on
【Topic 1】Leaning through Play, Japanese style and positive parenting
【Topic 2】Eat Well, Play Well, Sleep Well
【Topic 3】Food education
【Topic 4】Inclusion
3-2 Awareness campaigns on ECD topics developed and launched in MoSS different outlets (directorates, social units, social media platforms): To be discussed and determined in 2025.
Inputs:
In order to materialize the above, JICA will shoulder the local costs of conducting the series of trainings, printing out educational materials, organizing awareness activities, conducting baseline survey and impact evaluation survey, as well as child development case studies.
In addition, a total of approximately US$500,000 in educational materials such as picture books, and facilitators’ kits will be provided to 500 nurseries to improve their childcare environments.
―― Year 2022-2023 ――
2017年から続くエジプトでの就学前教育、保育の質向上技術協力プロジェクト。2022年からの第2フェーズから約半年を踏まえ、神谷哲郎チーフアドバイザーの記事が掲載されました。
Al-Jumhuriya newspaper on April 6 2023 on the launch of ECD-JICA Project Phase 2
ECD-JICA Project Phase 1
The Project for Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development (ECD-JICA Project) Phase 1
Background of the project
This project is based on the activities implemented by the JOCVs (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). JICA has sent more than 70 early childhood development-related volunteers to Egypt for about 20 years, ensuring the importance for young children to learn through play. The volunteers have assisted capacity building of nursery teachers (facilitators) and managers through their activities which include organizing workshops/seminars, and creating teaching materials on early childhood development.
About the project
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on Feb 7, 2017 between JICA and the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS) to conduct the technical cooperation project, “Project for the Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development”. The project started in June 2017, and will last until October 2021. It focuses on 10 nurseries in each of the 5 target governorates of Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, Kafr El Sheikh, and Qalyubia. The focused nurseries are run by NGOs, and in need of professional assistance.
Expected outputs of the project
*The capacity of nursery teachers (facilitators) to implement “learning through playing” is developed.
*Monitoring system on nurseries is developed to ensure the quality of nurseries.
*The number of guardians having a favorable view for “learning through playing” is increased.
Plan of the project
In order to achieve the outputs of the project, the following various activities are expected to be implemented: (1) Creating educational materials, (2) Providing trainings for nursery teachers (facilitators) and trainers, (3) Conducting awareness campaigns for guardians, (4) Providing comments on the Nursery Quality Standards, and (5) Providing assistance in developing the Monitoring System on nurseries. Through the project, three batches of staff members of the MOSS (more than 30 members in total) are to travel to Japan to take training courses.
「就学前の教育と保育の質向上プロジェクト」 フェーズ１概要
対象国：エジプト
プロジェクト期間：2017年6月～2021年10月
カウンターパート：エジプト社会連帯省
プロジェクトの背景
2016年2月、エルシーシ大統領は日本を公式訪問し、安倍首相と共同声明を発表した。その中で、教育・人材育成が国造りの基礎であり，未来に平和と繁栄の社会を築くため最も重要な事業であるとの信念に基づき、エジプト・日本教育パートナーシップ（EJEP）を策定し、教育分野で協力を促進することが発表された。
過去約20年にわたる70人以上のＪＩＣＡボランティアの協力を踏まえ、EJEPの中では保育園及び幼稚園における「遊びを通じた学び」の推進が掲げられている。多数を占める私立保育園が学力重視の運営方針をとる中、NGO保育園の保護者もこれに類する保育を望む傾向にあり、子どもの興味・関心を重視した「遊びを通じた学び」を同国に導入・展開することをエジプト社会連帯省は目指している。また、乳幼児（0-2歳）の保育環境改善（家庭、保育園）にも精力的に取り組みたいという意向を持っている。本プロジェクトは、同国の子どもたちの健やかな育ちを助長するものである。保育分野での技術協力プロジェクトはＪＩＣＡにとって初めてのケース。このプロジェクトの成果を踏まえて他国での展開も念頭にいれている。
プロジェクトの成果
1 「遊びを通じた学び」を実践する保育士の能力が向上する。
2 保育の質を確保すべく、社会連帯省および同省地方支部の保育園に対するモニタリング制度が改善される。
3 「遊びを通じた学び」を実施するための周辺環境（エジプト社会からの「遊びを通じた学び」に対する理解）が改善される。
＊＊遊びを通した学びがプロジェクトの主軸のコンセプトであるが、社会連帯省の意向を受け、保護者への関わり、食育、保健・健康、障がい児支援等、包括的に保育の質向上を目指す。
活動概要
研修事業や指導案・教材開発、保護者啓発、園へのモニタリング制度の改善などを通じ、パイロット地域の50の保育園における「遊びを通じた学び」の普及・定着を図り、保育の質を向上させる。
プロジェクトの関与はどのような変化をもたらしたのでしょう？英語の資料になりますが参考までに。
クリックで拡大します。
Intervention Group：プロジェクトでかかわった保育園、Control Group：プロジェクトが関与していない保育園です。
ニューズレター
＜その他関連情報＞
関連研究ノート・論文
エジプトにおける保育 ─ JICA技術協力プロジェクトの取り組みから ─ 松原 敬子→こちら
エジプト・アラブ共和国 就学前教育の現状と課題ー川村幹→こちら
新型コロナウィルス感染拡大の影響を受けてー川村幹・神谷哲郎→こちら
―― Year 2020-2021 ――
【エジプトでの就学前教育支援第１フェーズ終了】
2021年10月 約4年半間にわたり、関わってきたエジプトの就学前教育支援。社会連帯省大臣への報告をもって第1フェーズを終えました。「遊びを通した学び」の重要性を伝える保育士研修やEat well, Play well, Sleep well を掲げて行った保護者・コミュニティーへの啓発活動に力を入れてきました。就学前保育・教育に従事する人達のエンパワーメントにつながり、また子どもと真剣に向き合うことの大切さをエジプトの社会に少しでも理解してもらえたのでは・・・という手ごたえを感じています。
エジプトテレビニュース番組→https://www.facebook.com/PEPersoninternational/videos/4536332759750030
[Oct. 15 is Global Handwashing Day] JICA’s Handwashing for Health and Life campaign throughout the world: Over 300 million people learned the importance of handwashing in one year.
【10月15日は世界手洗の日 世界に広がれ！JICA「健康と命のための手洗運動】
この1年間で3億人にその大切さが伝わりました。
エジプトでの取り組みも紹介されています。
PC &Mobile →Click Facebook →Click Twitter →Click
【April 8th 2021】The training for the precautionary measurements → Click
【Egypt Today April 2021】JICA hands sanitary kits, basic equipment to Egyptian nurseries amid coronavirus. →Click!
【2020年12月～9月】
【Create Your Joy-学びをとめるな！】
コロナ禍下、帰国を余儀なくされたJICAボランティアとともに作り上げた「遊びを通した学びアイデア集」について、JICAボランティアの機関紙クロスロードに取り上げてもらいました。
―― Year 2019 ――
【2019年9月】
神谷哲郎プロジェクトチーフアドバイザーの投稿記事です。
「世界の子どもに学びと遊びを」日経新聞2021年9月4日
【 2019年 4月】
JICAの広報誌 mundiにて日本エジプト教育パートナーシップの下で実施されているエジプト教育プロジェクトの特集が組まれています。
Mundi 2019年4月号P10 より→
―― Year 2018 ――
【2018年12月】
2018年11月26日から30日の期間に、エジプト就学前教育にエジプト社会連帯省大臣顧問、カイロ大学幼児教育学部長を団長とする7名のエジプト人を連れて日本での視察研修を行いました。短い滞在期間に厚生労働省、横浜市、学芸大学、鶴見短期大学（講義）、そして、5か所の保育現場を訪問しました。
ポスターは、その際に実施した勉強会・座談会のもの。
プレゼン資料として、「プロジェクトの概要、1年の振り返り」「現地研修の記録」をYOUTUBEにアップしています。
JICA News: From Al Akhbar NEWS PAPER
Closing Ceremony of the first round of training course for nurseries’ facilitators within the framework of JICA’s “Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development” Project
The closing ceremony for the first round of training course for nurseries’ facilitators within the framework of JICA’s “Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development” Project, will take place on Oct. 31, 2018 at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
Egypt-Japan Education Partnership (EJEP) has been established between the Governments of Egypt and Japan to strengthen the capacity of the Egyptian youth by introducing characteristic elements of Japanese education to Egypt in various stages of education with the aim to support achieving prosperity, peace, stability and development in Egypt.
One of EJEP’s main components is the technical cooperation project under the title of “Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development”, which was conducted after Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity have signed its Memorandum of Understanding on Feb. 7, 2017.
Mr. Tetsuo Kamitani, JICA’s Chief Advisor in the education field, believes that the empowerment of nurseries’ facilitators is the key to success as they don’t only play the role of teaching, but also create a good environment for the children’s daily lives and raise the parents’ awareness of appropriate parenting at home.
Thus, it is necessary to build the capacity of the nurseries’ facilitators, nurseries’ managers and directorates’ staff. Therefore, the project has implemented a training course from January to July 2018 in Cairo and five other targeted governorates including Suez, Ismailia, Port Said, Qaliubiya and Kafr El Sheikh. The training course included 18 subjects related to early childhood that are based on the curriculum delivered at the Faculties of Early Childhood Care and Education in Japan.
The training’s subjects include: Principles of Child Care and Education, Child and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Consultation and Support, Social Protection, Theories of Nursery Centre Workers, Psychology of Child Care, Health of Children (1- Health of Children; 2- Children’s Diet and Nutrition), Theories of Family Support, Theories of Child Care Curriculum, Overview of Theories of the Content of Child Care, Infant Care, Care for Children with Disabilities, The Content of Social Protection and Expression Skills in Child Care.
The event will be held to hand the Course Completion Certificates to 74 trainees, out of 243 trainees from targeted and non-targeted nurseries as well as directorates’ staff, for their success in completing 15 subjects or more in the training.
https://www.facebook.com/jicaegypt/posts/1991285180906950
Observation tour and training in Japan 2018
https://www.facebook.com/jicapreng/posts/1052410898233986
Enriching Child Development Through Play
Nov. 20, is Universal Children's Day. On this day, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect the human rights of the world's children.
【2018年09月30日】CNNでエジプトでの日本の協力について紹介されました！！
「Japan's cooperation to the Middle East. CNN program.」
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/09/30/middle-east-looks-east-japan-business-vision.cnn
Article of ECD-JICA Project is posted to JICA Official WEBPAGE as the first topic of 2018.
■English
PCDIRECTLINK https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/field/2017/180104_01.html
■日本語
PC 記事直リンク https://www.jica.go.jp/topics/2017/20180104_01.html
―― Year 2017 ――
https://www.facebook.com/jicaegypt/posts/1498752070160266
Early Childhood Development Project in Egypt holds its 1st Joint Coordination Committee Meeting on October 16 2017.
【2017年8月17日】エジプトに赴任しあっという間に1か月半が過ぎ去りました。
当地での仕事は順調に推移しています。受入省庁である社会連帯省の大臣アドバイザー以下、カウンターパートの人たちは非常に協力的、これからの幼児教育・保育の質改善に真剣に取り組もうという意識が強くまずは安堵しているところです。机上の空論に終わることなく、現場での地道な活動実践を踏まえて「遊びをとおした学び」をキーワードに保育の質改善の仕組みづくりに取り組んでいきたいと思っています。エジプトでの順調な滑り出しは、20年に渡る70名強の幼児教育分野のJOCVの活動実績、信頼関係構築の賜物です。
【2017年関連記事】
The Project embarked on June 2017！