News & Event

The Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company (Ooredoo), under the patronage of HE Majid bin Said Al Bahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative and Financial Affairs, launched the first phase of the Mobile Puppet Theater Project to promote sustainable development concepts in early childhood at Azzan Bin Qais International School - Al Khuwair.

This project targeted 20 early childhood education schools in the Muscat Governorate, with the aim of instilling sustainable development concepts in early childhood through the presentation of live and interactive educational and entertaining theatrical performances using puppets in several areas such as preserving natural resources, eradicating poverty, and promoting health and education. The initiative also aims to introduce young people to the art of puppetry and benefit from the educational content provided through stories and theatrical performances. The initiative is distinguished by its ability to move between different schools, as the puppets are designed in Omani school uniform.

Khawla Al Amri, Chief People Officer at Ooredoo, said: “Although the entire world is paying great attention to digitization and modern technologies, studies have warned of the dangers of children's exposure to screens and digital devices in their early years. However, it remains essential to develop their sensory, visual, auditory, and motor skills to nurture their curiosity and develop communication skills from their early formative years, limit their use of devices, and provide them with more life skills. Hence, the "Mobile Puppet Theater" initiative comes as a window into a world of values ​​and knowledge, presented through interactive storytelling that includes different stories, reinforcing the concepts of sustainability in a simplified and attractive way that suits children.”

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, confirmed in a speech he delivered during the launch of the initiative that the Sultanate of Oman was one of the first countries to submit its country initiative on education for sustainable development to UNESCO. It is a national roadmap based on five main pillars: policies, the educational environment, teachers, youth, and the local community. The Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, continued its efforts in this area by implementing numerous training workshops, seminars, and awareness-raising projects in cooperation with its regional and international partners. Most notable among these was the preparation of a guide to promote sustainable development concepts in the school environment, in cooperation with the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha. The guide targets specialists in curriculum design, teacher training, school administration, and educational evaluation, serving as a national reference that contributes to aligning educational practices with global trends. The Sultanate of Oman is also a member of both the Global Network for Education for Sustainable Development and the Partnership for Greening Education initiative.