Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, together with the President of the Municipality of Tutin Bajro Gegic, officially opened the new “Sunce” Kindergarten in Tutin, in the Svracici neighborhood. The kindergarten spans approximately 1,000 square meters and will provide 100 new places for children, divided into 5 groups. The construction of the kindergarten, part of the “Habiba Stočević” Preschool Institution, cost over 102 million dinars.

“By building this new kindergarten, we are supporting primarily the children in the municipality of Tutin, the local government, and parents. Children are the source of our future, and including them in the preschool education system is crucial for healthy and happy growth, as well as a foundation for a better future. Through the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, we plan to provide 11,000 new places in 22 local governments across Serbia,” said Minister of Education Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

The Ministry of Education, within the framework of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, is focusing not only on expanding capacity through the construction of new and adaptation of existing facilities but also on improving the quality of the preschool education system and including children from socially vulnerable groups. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education conducted training for employees in preschool institutions in the municipality of Tutin. To ensure adequate conditions for quality work with children, additional funds were invested in the procurement of ICT equipment worth around 387 thousand dinars, and approximately 350 thousand dinars were allocated for the procurement of low mobile furniture. President of the Municipality of Tutin Bajro Gegić thanked the Ministry of Education and the Government of the Republic of Serbia for recognizing the need and significance of building this kindergarten.

“Thank you for recognizing the importance of this facility and for being here with us today. We see this as a personal commitment from you, as well as from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, to equally provide better living conditions and a more promising future for all citizens in all areas. By building this facility, we have provided our children and employees with excellent conditions for work and stay. Importantly, with the construction of this kindergarten, we are eliminating waiting lists,” stated Bajro Gegić.

Minister Djukic Dejanovic also visited the kindergarten construction site in Novi Pazar, which will provide an additional 270 new places for preschool children upon completion.

The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the World Bank and with the support of local governments, is working on expanding the reach of children in the preschool education system as part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project. This Project not only focuses on expanding capacity but also pays special attention to improving the quality of preschool education through the introduction of new program foundations and the skills and knowledge of professional staff through mentoring support and training for over 20,000 educators. A significant aspect of the program is the inclusion of children from an early age, as well as raising awareness and educating parents on this issue. The project is valued at 47 million euros.

You can see the photos here.

As part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project implemented by the Ministry of Education, funded by a World Bank loan, two classrooms and one nursery room have been equipped in the “Bajka” Preschool in Ivanjica.

The “Bajka” Preschool in Ivanjica has been continuously providing educational services for more than forty years since its establishment in 1981, in a facility built in the same year.

For the 2023/2024 school year, a total of 254 children have been enrolled, with 236 children in full-day care and 18 children in half-day care. In recent years, the institution has faced a shortage of space for accommodating children. The number of newborns is increasing year by year, leading to greater demand for kindergarten enrollment. In the latest enrollment period, 40 nursery-aged children remained on the waiting list.

Over the decades, the institution has been renovated according to its capabilities and through participation in various projects. Adaptations have been made, and capacities for receiving children have been expanded. In the last ten years, the Municipality of Ivanjica has faced two major floods that did not spare the kindergarten. In 2023, the existing facility was reconstructed in cooperation with the founder, involving the renovation of a purchased building and its conversion for kindergarten purposes. It was necessary to furnish two classrooms, one nursery group, and a multipurpose hall that meets all prescribed standards.

The significance of the Ministry of Education’s “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, which equipped the classrooms in the institution, is immensely valuable as it collectively ensures quality conditions, a healthy environment, and space for every child attending the institution. This contributes to the development of both body and mind, education, progress, and ultimately a happier childhood and the best foundation for the future.

A total of three rooms in the “Bajka” facility have been fully equipped with furniture, didactic materials, and toys that meet the needs and age of the children in the respective groups.

With seventy children admitted to the newly opened facility, the number of children on the waiting list has been reduced. This Project has improved working conditions, benefiting the children’s well-being.

Recently, the institution has received support from the Ministry of Education in the form of furniture, didactic materials, and ICT equipment. You can see the photos here.

As part of the ” Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project implemented by the Ministry of Education with a World Bank loan, 9 rooms have been adapted and 13 rooms equipped at the “Lane” Preschool in Aleksinac Municipality.

The “Lane” Preschool in Aleksinac, in accordance with the Law on Social Care for Children, the Law on the Basics of the Education System, and the Law on Preschool Education, as well as the Rulebook on the Basics of the Preschool Education Program and the “Godine uzleta” program, provides organized education and care, nutrition, health care, and daily rest and recreation for children.

The main activity of the institution is realized through full-day care from nursery to the Preparatory Preschool Program (PPP), a 4-hour Preparatory Preschool Program, and mixed groups for 4 hours as permanent forms of work, as well as through various types of special and other forms of work and services. The municipality of Aleksinac consists of 72 settlements, which presents a significant challenge for the institution and its founder, the Aleksinac Municipal Assembly, to ensure a network of facilities that enable comprehensive preschool education. Since its founding in 1978, a network of facilities has been created to allow as many children as possible to attend preschool education. In the 2023/2024 school year, the institution operates 25 facilities, 5 in the city and 20 in rural areas, with a total of 50 groups. For years, the lack of space for accommodating children has been an issue, and currently, 120 children are on the waiting list.

Given that children have been staying in inadequately equipped rooms for many years, thanks to the Ministry of Education and the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, after many years, both children and staff now stay in the most modernly equipped spaces. This donation has improved conditions for staying and working with children.

The Ministry of Education, through the World Bank loan and the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, allocated funds to adapt 9 and equip 13 workrooms, enabling children from rural areas to have the same conditions as their urban peers.

The rooms have been equipped with furniture, toys, didactic, educational materials, picture books, and books, all carefully chosen to meet the needs of different age groups. The provided equipment contributes to creating a stimulating environment that provokes children’s curiosity and promotes inquiry and wonder. This allows them to grow and develop in a safe and encouraging environment that motivates various activities during early childhood and supports the holistic development of each child.

This investment is not only for the children currently in the kindergarten but also for future generations who will grow and develop there.

Additionally, all rooms underwent adaptations such as painting, replacing and installing new vinyl floors, refinishing, replacing, and sanding parquet floors, and renovating outdated bathrooms. Old and worn-out windows were replaced in the Dobrujevac facility.

You can see the photos here.

A contract for the construction of a new kindergarten in Alibunar, which will have a total of 220 new places for preschool-aged children, was signed today at the Ministry of Education.

The contract was signed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukić Dejanović, the president of the municipality of Alibunar, Zorana Bratić, and a representative of the construction contractor.

The construction of the new kindergarten in Alibunar will provide a total of 220 new places for preschool-aged children, divided into 11 groups, with the total investment exceeding 150 million dinars.

“By constructing new facilities and expanding existing ones, the Ministry of Education continues to work towards fulfilling its strategic goal, which is to expand capacity and improve the preschool upbringing and education system at all levels,” stated the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukić Dejanović. She reminded that these activities are being carried out within the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, which the Ministry of Education implements in collaboration with the World Bank and with the support of local governments.

According to the president of the municipality of Alibunar, Zorana Bratić, the construction of the new kindergarten in Alibunar will resolve the long-standing issue of accommodation and care for children in this area.

The “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” program, under which the construction of new and adaptation of existing kindergartens is being carried out, not only expands the capacity of preschool institutions but also pays special attention to improving preschool education and care through the introduction of new program foundations, as well as the knowledge and skills of professional staff through mentoring support and training for employees.

An important aspect of the program is the inclusion of children from the earliest age, especially those from socially vulnerable groups, as well as raising awareness among educators, professional associates, and parents on this issue. The total value of this project is 47 million euros.”