DUSHANBE, 14.07.2026 (NIAT Khovar) – The number of preschool education institutions in Tajikistan has increased, with 831 facilities operating across the country in the first half of 2026, providing education and care for 134,263 children, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan reported.

Compared with the same period in 2025, the number of preschool institutions increased by 74 facilities, while the number of enrolled children grew by 15,871.

To expand access to early childhood education, 3,158 early childhood development centers have been established at general education institutions, covering 183,710 children. This represents an increase of 227 centers and 50,349 children compared with the same period last year.

Overall, taking into account preschool institutions and early childhood development centers, the number of children covered by preschool education reached 317,973, or 30.8 percent of the relevant age group. Compared with the same period in 2025, this figure increased by 66,220 children, or 7.1 percentage points. A total of 5,732 teachers work in early childhood development centers.

On April 29, 2026, during a Government meeting, the Ministry of Education and Science and local executive authorities were instructed to further increase preschool enrollment through the development of alternative forms of education and expansion of the private sector.

Preschool education remains one of the priority areas of Tajikistan’s education system and continues to receive consistent government support. The adoption of relevant regulatory and legal documents has contributed to improving oversight and providing methodological assistance to institutions involved in preschool education.

With the support of the Government of Tajikistan, the number of preschool institutions and children enrolled in them continues to grow. The country is implementing the Program for the Development of Preschool Education in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2026–2030, which envisages the construction of 800 new preschool facilities by the end of its implementation period and increasing preschool coverage among children aged 3 to 6 to more than 50 percent.