Warm Classrooms, bright Futures: How Climate-Resilient ger kindergartens are supporting Mongolia’s youngest learners

Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world, is also among the most polluted. According to UNICEF’s report on climate change, the average daily PM2.5 level reaches 687 µg/m³, nearly 27 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe threshold. For context, even during the California wildfires in January 2025, PM2.5 levels in Los Angeles peaked at 350 µg/m³, while Ulaanbaatar’s index reached 389 µg/m³—an alarming figure. These air pollution levels are largely attributed to the city’s long heating season and the reliance of nearly half its population on coal or wood-burning stoves in unconnected ger areas.

Additionally, approximately 40% of Mongolia’s population is under the age of 18, and in Ulaanbaatar, children aged 0–5 account for 11% of all minors. According to Kindergarten Information 2025, only 89% of these children are enrolled in kindergartens—leaving an estimated 15,000 without access to early childhood education. Furthermore, current kindergarten facilities are operating over capacity by 27,198 children, highlighting a significant shortage of accessible and suitable services. Combined with poor air quality in classrooms, the conditions for early childhood education are extremely challenging.

With the support of ChildFund Korea and in partnership with UNICEF, we have committed to changing this situation. Our initiative aims to provide affordable, energy-efficient, and accessible preschool education in Ulaanbaatar’s remote ger districts, where traditional infrastructure is often lacking.

The children couldn’t focus

“When it used to get too hot and stuffy, the children couldn’t concentrate. They would become drowsy. Now, with fresh air and a stable temperature, they are attentive and lively. I’m truly happy about that. Before the installation of the advanced heating and ventilation system, the classroom environment was far from ideal. The children often sweated while playing and were exposed to sudden temperature changes, which led to frequent colds. Now, thanks to improved air circulation, the classroom atmosphere is more comfortable and healthier—supporting the children’s concentration, wellbeing, and learning.” says E. Uranbileg, a parent whose child attends Kindergarten No. 199 in Bayanzurkh District.

Meeting demand through adaptable solutions

Poor air quality was not the only issue. Both the city and parents also faced a shortage of educational facilities for children and severe overcrowding in existing kindergartens. However, a solution has now emerged to create more space for children in Ulaanbaatar’s kindergartens.

“In 2020, there were 51 kindergartens in Songinokhairkhan District. By 2024, this number had increased to 70, reflecting rapid population migration into the district. Constructing new facilities is a slow process due to budgetary and procedural constraints, while the need is growing rapidly. For instance, some kindergartens built for 350 children are now accommodating as many as 950. In such cases, ger kindergartens are proving to be an effective and timely solution,” said I. Oyunsuvd, a specialist at the District Governor’s Office, during the project launch.

What is ger kindergarten?

Kindergartens in suburban areas often struggle with poor infrastructure, such as poorly maintained buildings, a lack of space, overcrowding, and limited resources (Asian Development Bank, 2019). One common solution in these areas is the use of ger (yurt) kindergartens—traditional portable dwellings—often used to educate children from vulnerable households. However, these kindergartens typically rely on coal-burning stoves or expensive electric heaters for warmth, and they may lack proper insulation, sanitation facilities, and ventilation systems.

According to the Model Regulation for Kindergartens under the Order of the Minister of Education and Science, both regular and mixed-age groups in kindergartens should consist of 20–25 children per group. The same applies to ger kindergartens, depending on available space. However, in practice, many groups now hold 30–40 children, significantly limiting the children’s learning environment and development opportunities.

In the “Climate-Resilient Ger Kindergarten” project we offer a tangible response to this problem, by setting up additional ger kindergartens in underserved areas and improving the quality of learning environments.

Each ger kindergarten is equipped with the CHIP package, which includes insulation, air-source heat pumps, and ventilation systems. These technologies not only create smoke-free, energy-efficient learning environments but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If energy assessments confirm cost savings, the use of heat pumps is expected to be scaled up as a sustainable heating solution.

Indoor air quality—crucial for children’s cognitive and neurological development—is being monitored through newly installed air sensors, both indoors and outdoors. Professional paediatricians are using the MoRBAS screening tool, adapted for Mongolian children, alongside the internationally recognised Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to identify developmental delays and mental health challenges. A smart plug installed in the heat pump system tracks electricity consumption, enabling continuous assessment of energy efficiency and economic feasibility.

A scalable model for a healthier future

By focusing on both infrastructure and developmental needs, the Climate-Resilient Ger Kindergarten project goes beyond improving access to education. It demonstrates a scalable, economically viable model that can be replicated in other high-need areas of the capital. Most importantly, the project ensures that children are learning in an environment that is warm, safe, and designed for their growth. As E. Uranbileg’s experience shows, even small changes in air quality and room temperature can have a profound impact on a child’s ability to concentrate and enjoy learning.

This transformation is part of the “Climate-Resilient Ger Kindergarten” project, launched in October 2024. We are confident that these investments will make a lasting difference. We believe that today’s efforts are directly contributing to a better tomorrow for Mongolia’s children.