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Kindergarten classes in mosques - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Kindergarten classes in mosques - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly

Al-Ahram Weekly

time6 hours ago

  • General
  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Kindergarten classes in mosques - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly

A cooperation protocol was signed last week between Minister of Endowments Osama Al-Azhari and Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif to open kindergartens in mosques. The service targets children before the age of compulsory education, according to a statement issued by the two ministries. Osama Raslan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Endowments, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the protocol is scheduled to be implemented immediately on a pilot basis in Qena governorate in preparation for a nationwide rollout after an evaluation by the end of this summer. He noted that daily evaluations will take place, emphasising that all those involved in the educational process are education graduates who have studied educational psychology and are committed to a curriculum implemented by the Ministry of Education, incorporating ethics and behaviours. Raslan added that Ministry of Education teachers will be assigned to receive children in morning shifts at mosques, which run from 8am to 1pm. They are also responsible for equipping mosque annexes with appropriate educational tools and enhancing mosque courtyards with games, ensuring a blend of education and recreation for children. Raslan emphasised that only one mosque in each village will receive children aged four to six, and that it must have an annex, where mourning events and wedding ceremonies are held and which are commonly known as event halls. This is to make clear that children will not attend classes within the mosque area designated for prayer. According to Raslan, this protocol aims to make good use of the two ministries' capabilities to achieve the goals of building an authentic Egyptian character, fostering a love of reading and learning, and connecting generations to their cultural and civilisational heritage. 'We need to exploit under-utilised assets,' said Raslan. In response to some objections that this should not be done in mosques and that it is better to do it in schools, Raslan clarified that school buildings are busy throughout the year and when there are no classes, school grounds need to be maintained for the next academic year. He asserted that according to the protocol, kindergarten classes are free for all segments of the Egyptian population, and that accepting Christian children into the nurseries is not prohibited. This is to reassure citizens that the protocol serves all Egyptians without exception. He adds that limiting it to Muslims is a violation of the Egyptian constitution and heritage. Mona Ahmed, a kindergarten teacher for more than 25 years, told the Weekly that the idea is excellent because it prevents children from sitting in front of TV and mobile screens all day. It will also provide a useful educational and moral dose for a large part of the day. Based on her long experience, Ahmed said private nurseries are currently very expensive, which prevents many parents from enrolling their children. She adds that the kindergarten curriculum focuses on teaching the basics of reading and writing in the Arabic language and teaching linguistics such as demonstrative pronouns, singular and plural, in addition to the principles of arithmetic and exploration. 'The idea is excellent,' Ahmed said. 'It will help them to prepare well for the primary stage.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Grandeur marks consecration ceremony of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple
Grandeur marks consecration ceremony of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple

Hans India

time19 hours ago

  • Business
  • Hans India

Grandeur marks consecration ceremony of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple

Banaganapalle: Minister for Roads and Buildings B C Janardhan Reddy and Minister for Endowments Anam Ramanarayana Reddy visited Kolimigundla in Banaganapalle constituency on Wednesday to participate in the consecration ceremony of the renovated Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. The Ministers were welcomed with temple honours by priests and temple authorities on their arrival. The renovation of the ancient temple was undertaken by Ramco Cements under the leadership of Chairman P R Venkatarama Raja, with a financial outlay of Rs 7.5 crore. The works were recently completed, and the 'Kumbhabhishekam' and 'Maha Samprokshanam' rituals were performed as part of the re-consecration ceremony. Both Ministers, along with B C Indiramma, participated in the religious proceedings and offered special prayers. Priests presented them with white ceremonial garments and bestowed Vedic blessings. Addressing the gathering, Minister B C Janardhan Reddy described the restoration of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple as a significant and auspicious development for the region. He extended special appreciation to Ramco Cements and its chairman for their initiative and support in preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the area. The Minister further announced that efforts were on to bring another Ramco Cement unit to the Banaganapalle constituency, which would enhance employment and economic opportunities for the local youth. The event was attended by local political leaders, workers of the ruling coalition, devotees, and residents of the constituency who gathered in large numbers to witness the occasion.

Action plan soon to develop Tirupati as tourist hub: Tourism Minister
Action plan soon to develop Tirupati as tourist hub: Tourism Minister

The Hindu

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • The Hindu

Action plan soon to develop Tirupati as tourist hub: Tourism Minister

Tirupati district will be developed as a tourist hub and a special action plan will be formulated for the same in the coming days, said Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh. After visiting the Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala on Monday, the Minister said that a meeting would be held in Tirupati on August 7 and 8 to discuss tourism development in the district. The meeting will be attended by officials from various departments, including Tourism and Endowments. The Minister also announced that all the temples and tourist spots in Tirupati district would be connected to form a tourism circuit. He added that the Gandikota tourism project, which has been sanctioned under the Central government's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, is expected to be launched on August 1 by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. With the grant of industrial status to the tourism sector and the announcement of a new policy, several investors are coming forward to set up five-star hotels in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, Mr. Kandula Durgesh said, adding that efforts are being made to facilitate the establishment of these hotels. Later, the Minister announced that water sports and beach resorts will be set up along the State's coastline. Efforts are under way to launch a cruise service between Visakhapatnam and Chennai, and to introduce seaplanes on a full scale. The Rishikonda Palace will be developed to serve the needs of the public, he added.

TTD-Endowments Department meeting resolves key issues
TTD-Endowments Department meeting resolves key issues

New Indian Express

time13-07-2025

  • Business
  • New Indian Express

TTD-Endowments Department meeting resolves key issues

TIRUMALA: The joint meeting of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Endowments Department held at Tirumala on Saturday discussed various long-pending issues and took several key decisions. The meeting was chaired by Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy along with TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer J Syamala Rao and Endowments Secretary Vinay Chand. Several issues pending between the Endowments Department and TTD were reviewed at length. Speaking after the meeting, Ramanarayana Reddy said that the discussions were fruitful and that solutions had been found to several issues. Some of the major decisions included a Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance to 590 unemployed Vedic pandits and the cooperation of TTD for laying a second road to Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada. The board meeting also discussed other major issues such as filling 192 posts in TTD-run colleges and the release of Rs 147 crore for the renovation of various temples. The presence of non-Hindus in TTD institutions and recent statements by Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay that 1,000 employees belonging to other religions were working in TTD institutions across the country also came up for discussion. Further, discussions were held on the release of Rs 147 crore funds from TTD for temples under reconstruction. The meeting deliberated on allocating a percentage of the income of temples to the Endowments Department as per Endowment Act-9 and the proposal to allocate nine percent of the Common Good Fund to the department. With regard to the announcement of new trust boards to temples, the Minister said that the exercise would be completed by the end of August. 'All the 1,010 temples will soon get new Trust Boards. In fact, the government is ready to announce the new committees to all the said temples. But because of some political and legal hurdles, the government is waiting for some time,' he said. 'Even today, some of the Trust Boards appointed by the previous government are functioning. Some of the Chairmans are still continuing while their Trust Board members submitted resignations. As there is possibility of those still continuing in their posts approaching court, the government is waiting to announce the new committees to temples once the tenure of existing boards expires so as to avoid legal hurdles,' Anam said.

A.P. Endowments Minister discusses TTD staff issues with Trust Board
A.P. Endowments Minister discusses TTD staff issues with Trust Board

The Hindu

time12-07-2025

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

A.P. Endowments Minister discusses TTD staff issues with Trust Board

A joint review meeting of the Endowments Department and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) held in Tirumala on Saturday discussed issues related to employees of various departments, archakas and retired personnel and improving service standards for pilgrims. The meeting was organised following Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's directive to resolve the long-pending institutional issues through a unified approach. Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao and Endowments Secretary Vinay Chand took part in the discussions. Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy told the media that the deliberations of the meeting would be brought to the notice of the State government, and appropriate action would be initiated. Efforts are on to ensure improvements in darshan facilities and the quality of prasadams. These upgrades have already been implemented in 161 major temples across the State, besides ensuring that only religious activities are encouraged on the temple premises. The Endowments Minister said that renovation works had been sanctioned for over 200 temples, utilising the Common Good Fund (CGF), and that the dhoopa deepa naivedyams would be resumed in over 300 temples. Prominent among others present include TTD Additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, Endowments Commissioner Ramchandra Mohan, JEO Veerabrahmam and the senior officials from both the departments.

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