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.

To support the directors of all public preschool institutions and educational advisors of school administrations, in cooperation with UNICEF and through component 2 of the project Inclusive Preschool Education and Care, in the period April – May 2023, 9 two-day consultations on the topic “Organization and management of the institution” were successfully implemented. Directors of preschool institutions (PU), educational advisers of school administrations, and principals of primary schools (primary schools) – presidents of municipal principals’ activities took part in the consultations.

The first day of counseling, for PU directors and educational advisors, was dedicated to the areas of quality: Organization and management of the institution and Professional learning community. First, the directors of preschool institutions, 4 each in the morning and afternoon sessions through the prism of the Quality Standards for the work of preschool institutions, presented examples of inspiring practice to their fellow directors. The directors’ presentations showed how their activities contributed to the development of the quality of the institution’s work in different domains – who supported them all in the process of change, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Examples of inspiring practice were presented to their fellow directors by Tanja Jovanovic, director of the preschool institution from Zajecar, Milka Simic, director of the preschool institution from Kragujevac Vanja Milutinovic, director of the preschool institution from Zagubica, Biljana Gajic, director of the preschool institution from Cukarica, Jelena Selak, director of the preschool institution from Odzak, Snezana Bulatovic, director of the preschool institution from Kula, Marija Starcevic, director of preschool institution from Velika Plana, Suzana Simeunovic, director of the preschool institution from Cacak, Radmila Arandjelovic, director of PU from Rakovica, Ana Lacarak, director of PU from Backi Petrovac and Jasmina Bouali, director of PU from Zemun.

Presentations of examples of inspiring practice at the forums that followed were the occasion and initiator of discussion and exchange between the participants, principals, and educational advisors, and an opportunity to ask the principals who presented their practice additional questions. At the end of the day, the directors were given guidelines for preparing a presentation of their practice to colleagues, at various meetings of the horizontal exchange between the directors.

The second day of counseling, in which, in addition to educational advisors and directors of PU, the presidents of the municipal assets of primary school directors took part, was dedicated to the transition from preschool institutions to elementary school. After the presentation of the training “On the common path of learning” which was intended for and was attended by expert associates from primary schools and teachers – coordinators of professional councils for class teaching, the participants created Action Plans to support children and families during the transition from kindergarten to elementary school.

The last block of counseling was an opportunity to look at the challenges faced by the actors of PU and primary schools, as well as children and families in transition, and to think about ways to overcome them. A significant insight is that it is important to include parents as partners in the development of plans. Conferences were held in Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad, Valjevo, Kragujevac, Cacak, Vranje, Zrenjanin, and Vrnjacka Banja, and about 270 participants took part in them. The participants expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to strengthen themselves professionally and improve their competencies through exchanges with colleagues.

You can see the photos here.

In Kragujevac, in the “Ciciban” Kindergarten, on Saturday, June 10, 2023. the sixth Association Fair was held in the organization of the Ministry of Education and the City of Kragujevac, within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care”.

The parenting fair, during which 16 workshops for children and parents were held, was opened by Assistant Minister of Education Dr. Milan Pasic in the presence of Dusan Aleksic, President of the City Council for Education of the City of Kragujevac and Sanja Jakovljevic, Director of PU “DJurdjevdan”.

“The inclusion of all children, especially those from vulnerable social groups, in the system of preschool upbringing and education is the key to healthy and happy growing up.” Through the Inclusive preschool education project, we have so far organized parenting fairs in Cacak, Sombor, Vranje, Loznica, and Novi Pazar, which were visited by more than 2,000 parents with their children. I am glad that the Parenting Fair is also being held in Kragujevac today, and on this occasion, I remind you that we recently signed a contract for the construction of a new kindergarten in the settlement of Erdec, which will provide 270 new places for children in Karagujevac,” said Assistant Minister of Education Dr. Milan Pasic.

During the fair, visitors could get information about services and types of support for families with children provided by more than 20 institutions. Also, this was an opportunity for them to learn how to improve their parenting skills through various educational and interactive workshops, as well as to participate in creative, research, sports, and other activities.

“The parenting fair as part of the Inclusive preschool upbringing and Education project, of which the city of Kragujevac is a participant, is an opportunity for parents to be informed in one place about the importance of early inclusion of children in the system of preschool upbringing and education, to consult with social workers, psychologists, health workers and other experts who work with children from the earliest age”, said the member of the Council for Education in Kragujevac, Dusan Aleksic.

“Listening to the needs of parents and children, we will continue to provide the best possible and adequate conditions for staying in preschool education and upbringing institutions, so that educators and parents, and especially children, feel safe, beautiful, and happy with their friends in kindergartens,” he said.

The parenting fairs are part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” Project, which is organized by the Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank and in cooperation with local governments.

You can see photos from the Parenting Fair here.

From February to March 2023, 3 expert consultations with educational advisors were held on the topic of quality assurance of the methodology of external evaluation of preschool institutions.

From September 1, 2022, all preschool institutions are obliged to implement the new program concept. The Quality Framework adopted in 2018 was revised (it meets the requirements of the new program concept) and has not been applied until now.

The counseling sessions were held in Novi Sad (educational advisors of schools: Novi Sad, Belgrade, Sombor, and Zrenjanin), Nis (educational advisors of schools: Nis, Kragujevac, Leskovac, Krusevac, Zajecar, and Jagodina), and Cacak (educational advisors: educational advisors of schools: Cacak, Valjevo, Pozarevac, Kraljevo, Uzice, Kosovska Mitrovica I Novi Pazar), and 79 educational advisors from all schools attended.

On the first day of counseling, the educational counselors prepared for the visit to the kindergarten through the presentation of forms for observing activities in the kindergarten and a package of additional instruments and auxiliary materials, created within the Project (following the Rulebook on the quality standards of the institution’s work).

They also created an activity plan with the division of responsibilities to provide feedback from the role of a “critical friend” to the kindergarten manager, who will objectively assess the quality of the kindergarten’s work.

Part of the preparation included familiarization with the specifics of the kindergarten they will visit, as well as research reading of 4 manuals/guides created to support practitioners in the quality application of the new program concept: A manual for documentation, Guide for arranging the space in the kindergarten, Guide for developing a theme/project with children, Strategy for the joint development of specific children’s programs following individual children’s programs.

On the second day of counseling, full-day visits were made to selected kindergartens in preschool institutions, in which educational counselors divided into 4 groups (7-8 counselors each) had the opportunity to apply the revised Quality Framework and as “critical friends” gain insight into the quality of kindergarten work in two quality areas: Family educational work for children and support for children. On that occasion, the educational counselors joined 2 groups of children of different ages in pairs, where they followed the implementation of the program of educational work, i.e. the work of the educators in the group, and gave them brief feedback.

After that, they visited the common rooms of the kindergarten (external and internal), analyzed pedagogical documentation (Thematic/project portfolio and Children’s portfolio), conducted interviews with professional associates and managers, educators, and parents, and distributed surveys to them. Before leaving, kindergarten representatives were given feedback on the quality of kindergarten work in two areas.

In the course of 3 consultations, educational advisors visited and observed the work of the following kindergartens from the point of view of a “critical friend”: Novi Sad – preschool “Nasa radost”, kindergartens: Krcko Orascic, Vilenjak, Cvrcak i mrav, Zlatokosa, Nis – preschool “Pcelica”: Cvrcak, Plavi cuperak, Brodic, Petar pan and Cacak – preschool “Radost”: Bambi, Radost, Majski cvet, Bosko Buha. 

On the third day of counseling, educational counselors worked on harmonizing grades at the level of standards and indicators in two areas of work quality, analyzing the results of surveys and interviews, triangulating quality evidence at the area level, and creating a report on the quality of work for each kindergarten.

After the completed report, upon returning to the school administrations, the heads of the school administrations sent reports to all the visited kindergartens, written from the role of “critical friend” who gives a different perspective on the work of the institution, and who can be useful to practitioners in a more objective assessment of the quality of work in their kindergarten.

All counseling participants expressed their satisfaction after the three-day work, during which they had the support of 4 mentors/managers for the implementation of OP (experienced professional associates). In addition, educational advisors from all school administrations, together with directors of preschool institutions and directors of elementary schools – presidents of municipal assets, participated in the two-day consultation “Organization and management of the institution” which covered topics in the field of quality, management, and organization, and the transition of children from kindergarten to elementary school.

The implementation of the new program concept is a complex, demanding, and long-term process that requires further support from practitioners in preschool institutions. After the completion of the Project, the professional and advisory support that can be provided by educational advisors was recognized as very important support.

You can see other photos here.