El Salvador continues advancing its education transformation with a strong focus on early childhood development, a priority highlighted by First Lady Gabriela de Bukele during the event “Education Multiplies Possibilities: An Investment in Our Future.”

The meeting was held in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education and the Embassy of Italy in El Salvador, bringing together representatives from international organizations and education leaders to discuss the importance of investing in early learning.

Since 2019, the government of El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, has prioritized strengthening education from the earliest years of life. As part of this effort, enrollment in early childhood education increased from 4.7% in 2019 to 15.8% by 2025, significantly expanding learning opportunities for Salvadoran children.

During the event, Gabriela de Bukele highlighted the implementation of the National Early Childhood Curriculum, describing it as a central component of the country’s educational transformation. The curriculum introduces a new approach to teaching that recognizes that children learn at different paces and in different ways.

“It is the heart of the country’s educational transformation because it represents a new way of teaching for new ways of learning. We want to take advantage of the best years for learning—the window of opportunity from 0 to 8 years old,” she explained.

The First Lady noted that the new curriculum is the result of a process launched in 2019 and developed by a multidisciplinary team of educators, specialists, and teachers. She also emphasized that early childhood education coverage has more than tripled, an area that historically received limited attention.

This progress has been supported by strengthened care and education models, including Early Childhood Care Centers (CAPIs), Child Welfare Centers, Family Circles, and Community Centers for Child and Family Care.

Enrollment has also increased at other educational levels. Preschool coverage rose from 50.3% to 73.8%, while first-grade enrollment increased from 58.3% to 73.8%, reflecting broader improvements in access to education across the country.

Through these initiatives, El Salvador continues investing in education as a foundation for long-term development, recognizing that supporting children in their earliest years helps build a stronger future for the nation.