Support Programme to Preschool Institutions in Implementing “Years of Ascent” Initiated

One of the key novelties in our education system is the introduction of the New Preschool Curriculum Framework (NPCF), symbolically themed “Years of Ascent”. Since the implementation of the new concept presents a significant challenge but also a stimulus in the development of practice in kindergartens, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, in cooperation with the Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, commenced the full programme of support to preschool institutions in the implementation of the “Years of Ascent”, as part of the activities under the Component 2 of the ”Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care” Project, financed from the IBRD loan. The programme of support includes trainings, mentorship, peer learning and horizontal exchange between the preschool institutions professionals.

For the purpose of implementing the programme of support, 90 professionals (practitioners: nursery and kindergarten teachers, preschool expert associates and faculty and vocational college professors) were hired in the open competition and trained for trainers and mentors. So far 1,890 professionals from eleven preschool institutions are in the support programme. Also, some additional mechanisms of the support programme monitoring and evaluation are envisaged, with the view to continually improving and adjusting to the practical needs.

By the end of 2022, all the preschool institutions will be included in the support programme and will start implementing the new PCF.