SCRF: Experts call for community-led reform in early education

Sharjah24: In an illuminating panel discussion held at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), education experts from Pakistan and Mauritania came together to explore the role of families, communities and policy in shaping early childhood education. Titled “Building Strong Foundations”, the session shed light on urgent global challenges, from literacy gaps to the underfunding of public education systems, and the critical need to reimagine preschool learning environments.

Moderated by broadcaster Abdulkarim Hanif, the conversation featured Pakistani education researcher and children's author Mariam Shah, and Muhammad Al-Hasan Al-Sajjad, Advisor to the Minister of Social Action, Childhood, and Family in Mauritania.

Drawing on two decades of experience in public education reform in Pakistan, Shah spoke candidly about the alarming findings of the 2024 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER). "Fifty percent of Pakistani children in grade five cannot read a grade two level text," she shared. “This is not a statistic—it’s a systemic failure.”

“We cannot change the nation by focusing only on elite private schools,” she said. “Public schools must be the focus if we are serious about equity and quality in education.”

Offering a comparative lens, Al-Sajjad reflected on Mauritania’s efforts to bridge traditional schooling with modern educational frameworks. “Our challenge is twofold: to preserve the strengths of our indigenous education systems, while building formal structures that respond to today’s socio-economic realities,” he said.

“We are working to harmonise our education system—one that includes language reform, community-led dialogue, and curriculum modernisation”, Al-Sajjad further noted.

The power of stories

Beyond policies and statistics, the panelists made a compelling case for the power of storytelling as a pedagogical tool. “Stories allow children to engage with complex topics like climate change, inclusion or emotional intelligence on their own terms,” said Shah, whose recent books address both environmental and social issues through child-friendly narratives.

She argued that developing local, relatable story characters is essential to counter the dominance of imported cultural archetypes. “Instead of only looking up to Batman or Barbie, children should find heroes in characters who reflect their own culture, language and realities.”

Both Shah and Al-Sajjad stressed the importance of engaging parents from the earliest stages of a child’s life.

Reimagining education for the digital age

Responding to audience concerns about screen time and digital distractions, both panellists agreed that technology can support but never replace human-centred, culturally sensitive education. “It’s not about choosing between screens and stories,” said Al-Sajjad. “It’s about choosing meaningful content, in the right language, at the right age, and through the right medium.”

The discussion concluded with a shared call for governments, educators, parents and civil society to collaborate on long-term solutions. “Education is not just the job of one ministry or one teacher,” Al-Sajjad noted. “It’s a national responsibility.”

The free-to-attend festival runs until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, and offers many more such meaningful conversations and discussions. For more information, visit, www.scrf.ae.