NEW TRAINING CYCLE FOR PRINCIPALS OF PRESCHOOL INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE THE LICENSE EXAMINATION

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.