PLANS to allow new kindergartens to open in public parks, gardens and walkways in the capital have been dismissed.
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi has rejected a proposal presented by the Capital Trustees Board on the basis that it would cause a ‘clash of services’.
She told the board, in writing, that gardens, parks and walkways were classified as ‘recreational’, whereas kindergartens came under an ‘educational’ classification.
The board could contest the rejection by having the matter referred to the Cabinet but its financial, administrative and legislative committee would have to come up with a convincing argument to have the minister’s decision overturned.
The board may also attempt to reach a compromise with the government and test the proposal at selected facilities, although this would again require special permission from the Cabinet.
The Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning and Education Ministries backed the plans in May this year on the condition that specific terms and standards were met.
The suggestion did not sway Ms Al Romaihi.
Recreational-classified facilities such as public parks, gardens and walkways have a clear purpose, she explained, and recreational facilities should continue providing the services they were designed to offer.
“Any educational facility, whether nurseries, kindergartens, centres, schools and universities, and even green education projects, comes under the educational services classification.”
The board’s financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Mohammed Tawfeeq Al Abbas, who had been spearheading the move, believed the proposal had been studied extensively and had ‘ticked all the right boxes’.
“Most of the public parks, gardens and walkways in our country rarely see any visitors or light-sports enthusiasts in the morning, which means that they are mostly empty,” explained Mr Al Abbas.
“This move will ensure that public facilities are occupied and well used throughout their opening times.
“Many kindergartens are located in residential villas with limited space. This initiative would offer more than a larger place to play and learn but would create an improved educational environment that stimulated innovation and creativity.”
Under the original proposal, the chosen public facility should have at least 2,400sqm of space with the kindergarten not occupying more than 25 per cent. The times of sessions would also have to be agreed.
AlKubra Sitra Garden has been suggested as a suitable testing ground for the open air activity.
Capital Trustees Authority director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said in May if successful the move would create municipal revenues and ensure that facilities are well used and full of the sounds of children’s laughter.
The move could also help create new job opportunities for nationals, possibly better educational services and also more business to providers of school clothes and equipment, he added.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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