NORŞAN ABDÎ

Kobanê- Kindergartens and nurseries in the Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria give women the chance to be more visible in the labor force.

The Women's Council has opened many kindergartens and nurseries in the Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria since the revolution on July 19, 2012. NuJINHA spoke to Rojin Hassan, spokesperson of the Women's Council Child Protection Bureau, about the importance of kindergartens and nurseries and their role in education.

“Teachers and parents hold monthly meetings to discuss the role of the kindergartens and nurseries in education. The aim of the kindergartens and nurseries is to encourage women to participate in the labor force. Therefore, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria makes great efforts to meet the needs of mothers and to increase the number of kindergartens,” Rojin Hassan told us.

Since 2012, 11 kindergartens have been opened in the Euphrates Canton for children aged between 6-15. “Nurseries accept children from six months to three years old. Children learn how to read and write while playing with their friends.”

‘We aim to open more kindergartens and nurseries’

Speaking about the kindergartens and nurseries in the canton, Rojin Hassan said, “There is a need to open more kindergartens and nurseries. Before the opening of kindergartens and nurseries in the Euphrates Canton, working mothers did not find a safe space to leave their children. We aim to open more kindergartens and nurseries soon in order to increase women's labor force participation.”

‘We teach the Kurdish language’

Abeer Muhammad is a teacher at the rehabilitation department. “This department accepts children aged between three and four. We teach children how to read and write and then the Kurdish language. We organize various activities such as music, painting and games in order to develop the children’s skills,” Abeer Muhammad said. “We also tell educational stories to children. We organize different activities for children because each child has a different personality and skill.”

Nahida Hamo is happy because the kindergartens and nurseries take care of her children when she is at work. “I started working two years ago. I leave my children without worrying. As working mothers, we know that our children are in safe hands. My children have learned how to read and write and this makes me happy.”