As many as 150 kindergartens will be able to open play and learning centers within their institution. The Ministry of Education and Research, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a call for proposals for the national early education institutions interested in applying for this project. The rooms for the future learning and play centers will be equipped with appropriate furniture and teaching aids for educational activities. These centers will promote learning through play, the socioemotional development of children, social inclusion, IPN reports.

In addition to furniture and teaching aids, each learning and play center will be equipped with books and reading places specially designed for cognitive stimulation, LEGO sets for the development of motor and creative skills, educational kits for teachers and parents, about 70 book titles that are part of the socioemotional education program, over 10 book titles for reading stimulation, etc.

To take part in the competition, the kindergartens must meet the following criteria: have between 8-12 groups; have a space of approximately 50-60 square meters, repaired and prepared to accommodate 15-20 children. They must also have the possibility to ensure the participation of vulnerable children from the community in non-formal educational activities, but also the availability to receive other children from the community, apart from those enrolled in the institution.

To apply for the competition, early childhood education institutions are invited to fill in a form. The application deadline is August 24. The decisions regarding the selected kindergartens will be announced by September 10. The selected projects are to be implemented by the end of the 2025 school year.