In order to ensure that all children have access to quality, inclusive preschool upbringing and education, further systemic action, long-term investment, intersectoral coordination and motivated professionals to work with children are needed, is the conclusion of today’s conference where the results of support to preschool institutions in the introduction new Basis of preschool upbringing and education program “Godine Uzleta”.
Support to these institutions was provided through the four-year project of the Ministry of Education “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” financed by the World Bank, which was implemented in cooperation with competent state institutions, civil society organizations, the Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade and UNICEF.
The State Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Anamarija Vicek, pointed out that the Ministry, in cooperation with relevant organizations and partner institutions, is intensively working on implementing measures and activities that contribute to the expansion of children’s access to quality preschool education.
“We work on providing support to the family in fulfilling its educational function, strengthening the professional competencies of the professional staff, as well as improving cooperation with other relevant actors in providing social support to children and families, such as schools, cultural institutions, health care, social protection, local self-government and another. Our joint efforts and activities are aimed at building a system of preschool upbringing and education that will be accessible to all children and open to the family, other levels in the education system, the local and wider social community,” said State Secretary Anamarija Vicek.
Progress in the improvement of preschool upbringing and education was achieved through the construction and reconstruction of facilities, as well as by strengthening the capacity of professionals to implement a new approach focused on learning through play and quality relationships between children and adults. Also, the importance of learning at an early age was promoted, and improvements in terms of inclusiveness were achieved through grants to support the inclusion of children from vulnerable social groups.
One of the partners of the Ministry of Education in this project is UNICEF in Serbia, which in cooperation with the Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade developed and implemented a support program for the implementation of a new approach focused on learning through play and quality relationships between children and adults. According to the data of the Final Study on the quality of work of preschool institutions, parents feel welcome and consider that kindergarten is a good place for children where friendship is encouraged and nurtured, but it is also a place for building quality relationships between children of different ages, as well as between children and adults.
The director of UNICEF in Serbia, Dejana Kostadinova, emphasized that equal access to quality, inclusive preschool education lays the foundation for a transformative path of education.
“Serbia has recognized and defined this through its strategic determinations and goals and through the strong commitment of the Government. And we’ve seen the positive effects of that. By applying innovative reforms guided by a new program concept, we contribute to ensuring that every child gets access to quality, inclusive preschool education. But there are also challenges on the solution of which it is necessary that we continue to work together, which includes ensuring the conditions for the equal participation of children from sensitive social groups, especially Roma and children with developmental disabilities. What is needed is further systemic action, since sustainable reform requires strong institutions, motivated professionals, cross-sector coordination and cooperation,” said Dejana Kostadinova, Director of UNICEF in Serbia.
The World Bank, together with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, supports Serbia’s efforts to improve children’s cognitive skills during early childhood, which is the key to building the country’s human capital and workforce productivity.
Investing in children’s early education is one of the smartest things a country can do. It is an investment that brings better results in learning, health and behavior for every child,” said Nikola Pontara, Director of the World Bank Office for Serbia. ‚‚We are delighted that we are able to improve access to quality early childhood education and that both teachers and families are involved in the process, so that children feel empowered, feel understood by others and feel free to learn actively and flexibly in an interactive environment.”
The new program concept supports children’s learning in their natural situations – daily routines, play and research. For the implementation of this approach, more than 95 percent of all professionals employed in public and private preschool institutions and elementary schools were trained, while employees in public institutions received support through mentoring and horizontal exchange. Equally important is support for connecting with professionals from primary education through training “On the common path of learning” in order to ensure the continuity of support for children and families.
You can see the photos here.
