EXPANDED CAPACITIES FOR 160 NEW PLACES IN TWO KINDERGARTENS IN KRUSEVAC

In the presence of Minister of the Interior Bratislav Gasic, the president of the temporary authority of Krusevac, Jasmine Parulovic, and Vesna Zivkovic, the director of PU “Nata Veljkovic,” Minister of Education Dr. Slavica Djukic Dejanovic solemnly opened the reconstructed and extended kindergartens “Golub mira” and “Labud” in Krusevac today, providing 160 new places for children.

The reconstruction and extension of both kindergartens, with a total investment of 58.5 million dinars, provided 80 new places for children, divided into 4 groups in both kindergartens. Additionally, an extra space with a total area of 1200 square meters was created. The Ministry of Education allocated more than 7.5 million dinars for equipping both buildings with didactic material.

The Ministry of Education is implementing systemic support for improving the quality of the preschool education system within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care.” Training for the implementation of the new program concept was organized for the employees of the Preschool in Krusevac. Additional training and the exchange of knowledge and experience were also organized during visits to the clusters in Cacak and Pirot. The inclusive education team underwent training aimed at supporting the development of inclusive practices.

To enhance the quality of the preschool education system, additional funds were invested in the purchase of ICT equipment, worth more than 1.5 million dinars, and around 913 thousand dinars were provided for the purchase of low mobile furniture.

The funds from the project “Podrska deci i pododici – dobrobit za buducnost” are intended for adapting, renovating, and equipping two rooms with furniture and didactic material. They also support educational work with preschool children in the village of Veliki Siljegovac and the suburban settlement of Citluk, with a predominantly Roma population. This grant financed the formation of three new mixed groups of children in rural areas and the establishment of a Mobile Counseling Center in cooperation with a Preschool, a children’s dispensary, and the Center for Social Work. A passenger vehicle was purchased for the needs of the Mobile Counseling Center.

Through the program “Klub za decu i roditelje – Razigrano popodne,” implemented in the kindergartens “Neven” and “Pcelica” in the territory of the city of Krusevac, the competencies of children and parents, as well as other legal representatives, are strengthened through participation in workshops, forums, excursions, and visits to the theater. A total of 966 children are involved in these activities, and the number of parents, other family members, and legal representatives is almost 1400.

Over the past four years, during the implementation of the project, 318 children from Citluk, Veliki Siljegovac, and Konjuh were included in various programs, and 636 parents were supported through the project in various ways.

The construction of new facilities and investment in the quality of preschool education and training are part of the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Training,” which the Ministry of Education is implementing with the support of the World Bank, in cooperation with local governments. An important aspect of the program is the inclusion of children from sensitive social groups in the system of preschool education and care from the earliest age, as well as the sensitization of parents and employees on this issue. This project will cover 23 facilities in 22 local governments, providing 11,000 new places for children, and over 20,000 educators have undergone training and mentoring support. The total value of the project is 47 million euros.

You can see the photos here.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KINDERGARTEN IN LESKOVAC STARTED WITH THE CEREMONY LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE

Minister of Education Dr. Slavica DJukic Dejanovic and the president of the temporary authority of the city of Leskovac, Goran Cvetanovic, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new kindergarten in the city today.

Approximately 102 million dinars will be invested in the construction of the new “Vukica Mitrovic” Preschool kindergarten, covering an area of 780 m2. The completion of the works is planned within eight months. The new facility will provide 120 additional places for children in the city, contributing to the reduction of the waiting list for preschool enrollment.

“The Ministry of Education, with the support of the World Bank, continues its diligent efforts to expand the capacity of preschool institutions throughout Serbia by constructing new ones and extending and adapting existing facilities. Our educational policy aims to include as many children as possible in the system of preschool education and care, especially those from socially sensitive groups. We also prioritize the quality of preschool education and care as the foundation for a successful future. Next year, we will gather again at this same place to open the doors of the new kindergarten for children from Leskovac,” said Minister of Education Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

The minister highlighted that special attention has been given to the inclusion of children from vulnerable social groups in the system of preschool upbringing and education in Leskovac over the past four years.

“The implemented activities focused on improving the learning and development opportunities for children from rural areas, Roma communities, and those requiring additional support. The Ministry and the World Bank supported the local project ‘Razigraonica’ with 5.7 million dinars, hiring a teacher and a Roma mediator. Three new groups were formed to work with children aged 3.5 to 5 years in the rural areas of Brestovac, Turekovac, and Vinarac. These villages’ spaces were adapted and equipped with new furniture, didactic tools, and toys. Thanks to this support, about 300 children are now included in the system of preschool education and care,” said the minister. She added that parallel work was done with parents, organizing 20 workshops to improve their parenting skills.

“By laying the foundation stone for this, the 12th kindergarten within the preschool institution ‘Vukica Mitrovic,’ we demonstrate our persistence in providing all children with good conditions for a safe and happy childhood, with a specific emphasis on children from socially and economically disadvantaged social groups. I express gratitude to the Ministry of Education and the World Bank for realizing the ‘Inclusive Preschool Education and Upbringing’ project. This project, through various components, not only contributed to increased children’s inclusion but also focused on improving the knowledge and skills of professional staff through mentoring support and the application of new program foundations,” said the president of the temporary governing body of the city of Leskovac, Goran Cvetanovic.

The construction of new kindergartens is part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project implemented by the Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank. This project is dedicated to increasing the capacity of preschool institutions throughout Serbia by providing 11,000 new places, as well as enhancing preschool upbringing and education through the introduction of new program basics, education of professional staff, mentoring support, and training for educators. An essential aspect of the program is the inclusion of children from the earliest age.

You can see the photos here.

4 ROOMS ARE FURNISHED IN PS “POLETARAC” SECANJ – SECANJ MUNICIPALITY

Within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” implemented by the Ministry of Education, with a loan from the World Bank, four rooms were furnished in PU “Poletarac” in the Municipality of Secanj. The preschool institution began operating in October 1994.

The preschool institution has been established across the network, encompassing purpose-built buildings in inhabited places such as Krajisnik, Jasa Tomic, Jarkovac, and Secanj. Additionally, facilities have been adapted and adjusted in elementary schools in Boka, Neuzina, Sutjeska, Konak, Surjan, and Banatska Dubica.

Enrollment in the institution includes about 300 children, and since 2017, nursery groups have been introduced, filling a gap that did not exist before.

As part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, the Ministry of Education, using funds from the World Bank loan, allocated resources to fully equip four rooms in PU “Poletarac.” This initiative will enable the enrollment of 50 preschool-age children and 30 nursery-age children. Consequently, the waiting list in Secanj has been completely eliminated.

The furnished rooms are equipped with furniture, toys, didactic materials, consumables, picture books, and books, carefully chosen with special attention to the needs of the respective age groups.

You can see the photos here.