Finnish curriculum kindergartens to be launched in the Middle East

Dubai-based Equilibrium Management Consultants has signed an agreement with Finland-based Fun Academy to launch kindergarten schools across the Middle East starting September 2017 in Dubai.

The agreement was signed on October 5 at the Finnish Embassy in the presence of Finland's minister of education and culture Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and Riita Swan, ambassador of Finland to the UAE. Renu Punjabi, director at Equilibrium and Sanna Lukander, Fun Academy CEO formalised the partnership that will allow Equilibrium to bring the Finnish Fun Learning approach to kindergarten education in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Finland's education system has consistently ranked among the best in the world in recent years. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2, published in October 2016, ranked the institutions of Finland - primary schools, health and other national institutions - as number one globally.

Fun Academy is a global network of kindergartens, with locations currently in China, Singapore, USA and Finland.

Students up to six years old learn in innovative ways, taught by teachers trained to help their students reach a healthy balance of rest, play and work alongside healthy nutrition and physical exercise.

Commenting on the partnership to introduce Finnish curriculum kindergartens in the GCC, Renu Punjabi said: "The approach to education in Finland is second-to-none and consistently earns top places in global rankings, and we are excited to be bringing the Fun Learning approach of Fun Academy Kindergarten to the Middle East.

Our Middle East partnership with Fun Academy underscores the priority of Equilibrium to enable children to enjoy learning, while at the same time applying the Finnish expertise to education. With 10 strategic objectives outlined in the UAE Ministry of Education's Strategy 2, we are committed to supporting these objectives by delivering excellence in the learning environment to prepare young people for the knowledge economy."

Sanna Lukander added: "Our aim is to coach teachers to adapt the Fun Learning approach and environment that is both exhilarating and transformative. We have combined Finnish expertise in education with a strong background in entertainment to create the Fun Learning approach designed to support the curiosity, explorative minds and enthusiasm of young children. Equilibrium Management Consultants shares our education philosophy and approach to learning, and we are delighted to be partnering with them to share the Fun Academy Kindergarten experience with teachers and children across the Middle East."