The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Institute for the Improvement of Education and Training (ZUOV) and with the support of the Inclusive preschool education and care project, organized a new training cycle for 55 directors of public preschool institutions (PU).

Previously, during 2020 and 2021, several trainings were conducted, which 125 directors passed, which earned them the right to take the license exam.

The goal of the training program is to enable candidates to acquire directorial competencies by the rulebook that prescribes competency standards for directors of education and training institutions.

The Rulebook on the training program and taking the exam for the license for the director of an education and training institution (“Official Gazette of the RS”, number 63/18) regulates the training program by the director’s competency standards, the exam program, the method and procedure of taking the exam, the composition and working methods of the commission of the ministry responsible for education, i.e. the competent body of the autonomous province before which the exam for the director is taken, the content and appearance of the license form for the director, the content and method of keeping the register of issued licenses for the director, remuneration for the work of the members of the commission and other questions related to the examination and obtaining a director’s license.

By the Rulebook, a training program for PU directors was prepared. Training modules (directly through interactive workshops and distance learning) were developed in partnership with the Ministry, ZUOVA, UNICEF, and CIP-Center for Interactive Pedagogy. The activity was implemented as part of the project “Protection of children from violence and discrimination in the educational system”, which is carried out in partnership with MPNTR, UNICEF, and CIP – Center for Interactive Pedagogy, and is part of a joint project of UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA and UNDP, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, led by the organization the Coordination Body for Gender Equality (Integrated response to violence against women and girls in Serbia II)

By mastering the Training Program, the candidate prepares to take the exam for obtaining a license for the director of educational institutions, and the training is a condition for taking the exam.

The training program is implemented in 3 parts: 2 + 2 days of standard training (directly, at a distance, or combined, in a group of participants) + 9 days of distance learning (individual).

The first two days of the training program for taking the license exam for a group of 55 principals were realized on April 19 and 20 in Zlatibor, and on that occasion, the principals dealt with the following topics: Preschool culture as a function of building quality; Towards a stimulating and safe preschool environment; Respect for diversity, equality, and fairness; Child protection – encouraging learning and development; Kindergarten for every child – development of inclusive policy and practice; Planning and programming based on data and research; Leadership and change management in the context of preschool institutions; Preparation of candidates for planning and conducting research in educational practice.

The other two training days were held on June 6 and 7, 2023, also in Zlatibor. The topics of the interactive workshops were:

What is quality in preschool education and care – the perspective of employees, children, and parents; How do we ensure the participation of parents and community members in the life and work of the institution; Support for children and families from vulnerable groups; Effective strategies and skills in the function of quality cooperation with significant actors; Leadership of the director of the institution: delegation of tasks and group discussion as a way of working in the institution; Instructive – pedagogical insight into the immediate work of employees in the function of improving and changing practice; How to ensure that records and reporting are of high quality; Director’s professional portfolio as preparation for the licensure exam and study guide.

Participants will attend 9 days of online training in the summer months.

The general impression of both participants and training leaders is that the training took place in a pleasant, working atmosphere and quality exchange through joint learning and understanding of relevant topics. The training participants highly rated the content and implementation of the training. In the training evaluation questionnaires, they say that they got more than expected. They especially emphasized the importance of connecting relevant topics with the practical work of directors of preschool institutions.

You can see the photos here.

Acting Minister of Education Djordje Milicevic and Mayor of Loznica Vidoje Petrovic visited the newly built “Kolibri” kindergarten in Loznica on June 13, where 270 new places for children will be provided.

Milicevic said that by expanding the capacity of kindergartens, support is provided to parents and local self-government, while our youngest, especially those from socially sensitive groups, are provided with adequate upbringing and education as a basis for a happy childhood, and therefore a better future.

“By building a new facility, we are continuing the implementation of our educational policy, which aims to increase the coverage of children through preschool education and education,” he said.

The mayor of Loznica, Vidoje Petrovic, emphasized the importance of this project.

“This is one of a series of extremely important projects that have been realized in our city precisely thanks to the support of our state, the Government, the relevant ministry, and the City of Loznica. Loznica is a city that is rapidly and strongly developing. Loznica is the city of the future. The construction of this building in the preschool institution “Bambi” is an opportunity for all of us to send a strong national message, regardless of whether it is an important message to the people, regardless of whether it is an important message,” he said.

The new building covers an area of ​​1,840 square meters and slightly more than 119 million dinars were allocated for its construction. About 12 million dinars were set aside for equipping the newly built “Kolibri” kindergarten with didactic material and furniture, while about 2 million dinars were set aside for ICT furniture and equipment.

Construction and furnishing of a new building, within the framework of preschool education.

The construction and equipping of a new facility within the “Bambi” Preschool in Loznica is part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, which is implemented by the Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank, and aims to improve the availability, quality, and conditions of preschool education. Accordingly, the project pays special attention to the improvement of preschool education and education through the introduction of the New Basics program of PVO “Godine uzleta”, as well as to the improvement of the knowledge and skills of professional staff.

As part of his visit to Loznica, the Acting Minister of Education, Djordje Milicevic also visited the “Bambi” kindergarten, which is the center of the cluster in the Preschool Institutions Support Program in the implementation of the new Foundations of Preschool Education and Care Program – Godine uzleta, and awarded them a Certificate of Appreciation for supporting the horizontal learning of practitioners within the Joint Learning through Modeling model.

In order for the kindergarten centers of the cluster to be able to establish and develop quality practice, but also to strengthen their competencies to realize one-day accredited professional meetings for colleagues from other preschool institutions, the Institute of Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Belgrade is part of the Inclusive Preschool Education project, developed a training for those responsible for changing practices in preschool institutions, which was attended by all teachers from this kindergarten.

Also, through the project, this kindergarten was equipped with low-mobility furniture at the value of 1,735,945.00 dinars and ICT equipment at a value of 1,679,500.00 dinars.

Since January 2023, the “Bambi” kindergarten has been visited by about 300 educators, professional associates, and directors from 30 preschool institutions during 10 professional meetings.

Bearing in mind that educators learn best through high-quality professional exchange with fellow practitioners, visits to the Bambi kindergarten additionally empowered colleagues from other preschool institutions to develop high-quality practice by the Basics of the program.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the World Bank has been implementing the “Inclusive preschool education and care” project worth 47 million euros. This project will cover 23 facilities, and more than 13,000 educators have gone through mentoring support and training so far. An important aspect of the program is the inclusion of children from the earliest age, as well as the sensitization and education of parents on this issue. It is planned that the project will be implemented by the end of March 2024.

You can see the photos here.