Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, within Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Project, subcomponent 2.2 continues with activities to improve the competencies of directors of preschool institutions.

After the training for directors was created, the aim of which is to strengthen their professional competencies, as well as the training for trainers/leaders, materials were prepared, and groups were formed, certain leaders and logistical support. Due to the epidemiological situation, trainings scheduled for March have been postponed.

After the end of the state of emergency, when the epidemiological situation allowed it, trainings were scheduled for 5 groups of directors of public preschool institutions.

The first two days of interactive training for directors in order to prepare them for the license exam were realized in the Educational and Cultural Center „Vuk Karadzic” in Trsic in 2 terms: 18 – 19 June 2020 (2 groups) and 23 – 24 June 2020 (3 groups of directors).

The directors expressed satisfaction with the training, its content, but also the opportunity to attend it without compensation.

After surveying the directors about the possibilities of attending the second part of the training (live or online), most of the directors decided on live trainings, which will be realized in: Nis, Kragujevac, Zrenjanin and Belgrade.

After that, the directors have 9 more days of online training left, which was posted on the ZUOV website and for which the leaders reported the groups.

For principals of preschool institutions who have decided to attend the second part of the training online, the entire training program will be transferred to the online format.

Within subcomponent 2.1 Support to the implementation of new Preschool Curriculum Framework, the Inclusive Preschool Education Project, continued the training of educators, professional associates and directors of preschool institutions.

After the lifting of the state of emergency, when the epidemiological situation allowed it, and after the survey of preschool institutions, during June, training was realized for 21 groups of participants (630 practitioners) from 6 preschool institutions.

For the remaining 16 preschool institutions, training for the implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework of the program has been postponed and will be implemented (depending on the epidemiological situation) – live (with respect to all epidemiological measures), or online.

In contact with the PU and local public health institutes, and in relation to the epidemiological situation, the availability of space that meets the prescribed protection measures, for the remaining 17 preschool institutions it is planned and organized to continue training for the implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework, as follows:

• – realization of live trainings – from September 12, 2020 for employees in preschool institutions from: Uzice, Kosjeric, Subotica, Kikinda, Cukarica, Stari grad, Rakovica, Jagodina, Sabac, Bogatc, Zajecar and Cajetina;
• – realization of online trainings – from September 21, 2020 for employees in preschool institutions from: Krusevac, Vranje, Leskovac, Vlasotince, Stari grad;
• – realization of online training related to documentation for 5 preschool institutions that completed the training for the implementation of new Preschool Curriculum Framework in June (Pozarevac, Mladenovac, Vrsac, Sombor and Parain), will be in the period from September 10^th to 16^th, 2020.

After the completion of works on the construction of new preschool institutions and after the stabilization of the epidemiological situation, children throughout Serbia will have the opportunity to play and socialize with their peers and gain different experiences in new kindergartens.

Within the first component of the Inclusive Preschool Education Project implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, the construction of new preschool institutions is being carried out.

Component 1 aims to improve the availability of preschool services, especially for children from vulnerable social groups, by increasing the number of places in kindergartens and greater coverage of preschool education. In accordance with this goal, a total of 35 local self-government units were selected whose projects meet the basic criteria for implementation under the Loan Agreement. So far, two facilities within the preschool institution in Doljevac and Zitoradja have been completed. The works on the third building of the preschool institution in Sremska Mitrovica are being realized according to the planned dynamics, so the handover of the building is expected at the end of the year. Construction permits have been issued for 5 locations, two of which are in Krusevac and one each in Loznica, Merosina and Smederevo, and the preparation of technical documentation for announcing the tender is in the final phase.

For other selected locations, an intensive analysis of conditions for resolving property and legal relations as well as location conditions and communication with local government representatives is performed in order to harmonize the proposed projects with the regulations of the Republic of Serbia and World Bank procedures and ensure their implementation.

With the implementation of the Inclusive Preschool Education Project, preschool children and their families, preschool institutions, local communities (local self-government units, health services, centers for social work) as well as state administration institutions in charge of preschool education have numerous benefits.

The organization and implementation of trainings aimed at educating representatives of local communities on the key messages and goals of the Project as well as on public appearance and the main channels of communication with the media will be realized from the second half of September.

In accordance with the prescribed measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the trainings will be held in an online format, and the following will have the opportunity to attend: employees in preschool institutions, employees in health centers, employees in social work centers, local government employees, local government representatives NGOs as well as local project coordinators.

Through various videos covering lessons on the basics of communication and public appearances in the media, the specifics of appearances on TV and radio, social networks and the like, participants will have the opportunity to gain additional education in this area and to get involved in another way in the main activities of the project. Upon completion of the training, they will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, promoting the activities of their local government and the main messages of the Project through various channels of communication.

Participants will be awarded Certificates of Attendance, and will subsequently be involved in other project initiatives, will be declared project ambassadors. All participants will have the opportunity to develop and improve cooperation as well as horizontal exchange of knowledge and experiences with colleagues from different local governments.

Video trainings will be available on the official website of the project. All details, dates and specific instructions for participation in the training program will be available on the project website and future participants will be notified by email.