ABU DHABI: The 17th edition ceremony of the UAE’s Khalifa Award for Education, a globally recognised award, took place in Abu Dhabi today. The award aims to promote innovative education, showcase best practices, and acknowledge individuals and organisations for their exceptional contributions to children’s development.
María Adelaida López, a Colombian plastic artist and early childhood educator, who is also the CEO of aeioTU, a social enterprise dedicated to enhancing children’s potential and transforming communities, participated as a guest speaker. She discussed the educational approach implemented in aeioTU schools in Colombia, which draws inspiration from the Reggio Emilia system and is adopted by numerous organisations worldwide to enhance their educational services and practices.
‘Our educational model seeks to serve children no matter where they are born, so we are able to develop learning opportunities through art, exploration, play and research. We are convinced that children are finding the meani
ng of life in a natural and joyful way,’ said López in an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the celebration of the award.
The launch of aeioTU aims to increase access to education for children and enhance the quality of education, especially in Colombia. López stated that in Latin America, 60 percent of children do not have access to quality education or any access at all, as they are unable to attend an educational facility.
According to a report published in 2021 by the World Bank, more than 40 percent of all children below primary school age – or nearly 350 million – need childcare but do not have access. As a result, too many children are spending time in unsafe and unstimulating environments.
As part of aeioTU, public schools for people of all income levels and other centres have been established and are operated in collaboration with the Colombian government to raise awareness about the importance of viewing the child as ‘capable and powerful’ rather than weak. Initiatives and supp
ort have also been developed to make this knowledge more accessible and to extend it to more schools and institutions in order to enhance the quality and availability of early childhood education.
López noted that nowadays, various educational approaches are transitioning from traditional education, where children are instructed on what to do, to an education that fosters collaboration and co-creation of knowledge, listens to children, and values their input.
Educators are contemplating ways to provide diverse tools that encourage children to inquire and learn organically instead of simply receiving instructions. According to the Colombian educator, the key is to spark curiosity and amazement in children. A motivated and joyful learner comprehends and retains knowledge more effectively.
López said she is ‘very honoured’ to participate in the UAE’s Khalifa Award for Education, which year after year continues to work to discover and recognise advanced research, programmes, and teaching practices in early chi
ldhood education. In the 2024 edition, more than 40 entities and individuals from the UAE, the Arab world, and globally were honoured.
‘We are talking about what education means today, how we can transform the system and what is most important to achieve a happy and joyful childhood together,’ López concluded.
Source: Emirates News Agency