In order to
ensure that all children have access to quality, inclusive preschool upbringing
and education, further systemic action, long-term investment, intersectoral
coordination and motivated professionals to work with children are needed, is
the conclusion of today’s conference where the results of support to preschool
institutions in the introduction new Basis of preschool upbringing and
education program “Godine Uzleta”.
Support to these
institutions was provided through the four-year project of the Ministry of
Education “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” financed by the
World Bank, which was implemented in cooperation with competent state
institutions, civil society organizations, the Institute for Pedagogy and
Andragogy of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade and UNICEF.
The State
Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Anamarija Vicek, pointed out that the
Ministry, in cooperation with relevant organizations and partner institutions,
is intensively working on implementing measures and activities that contribute
to the expansion of children’s access to quality preschool education.
“We work on
providing support to the family in fulfilling its educational function,
strengthening the professional competencies of the professional staff, as well
as improving cooperation with other relevant actors in providing social support
to children and families, such as schools, cultural institutions, health care,
social protection, local self-government and another. Our joint efforts and
activities are aimed at building a system of preschool upbringing and education
that will be accessible to all children and open to the family, other levels in
the education system, the local and wider social community,” said State
Secretary Anamarija Vicek.
Progress in the
improvement of preschool upbringing and education was achieved through the
construction and reconstruction of facilities, as well as by strengthening the
capacity of professionals to implement a new approach focused on learning
through play and quality relationships between children and adults. Also, the
importance of learning at an early age was promoted, and improvements in terms
of inclusiveness were achieved through grants to support the inclusion of
children from vulnerable social groups.
One of the
partners of the Ministry of Education in this project is UNICEF in Serbia,
which in cooperation with the Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy of the
Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade developed and implemented a support program
for the implementation of a new approach focused on learning through play and
quality relationships between children and adults. According to the data of the
Final Study on the quality of work of preschool institutions, parents feel
welcome and consider that kindergarten is a good place for children where
friendship is encouraged and nurtured, but it is also a place for building
quality relationships between children of different ages, as well as between
children and adults.
The director of
UNICEF in Serbia, Dejana Kostadinova, emphasized that equal access to quality,
inclusive preschool education lays the foundation for a transformative path of
education.
“Serbia has
recognized and defined this through its strategic determinations and goals and
through the strong commitment of the Government. And we’ve seen the positive effects
of that. By applying innovative reforms guided by a new program concept, we
contribute to ensuring that every child gets access to quality, inclusive
preschool education. But there are also challenges on the solution of which it
is necessary that we continue to work together, which includes ensuring the
conditions for the equal participation of children from sensitive social
groups, especially Roma and children with developmental disabilities. What is
needed is further systemic action, since sustainable reform requires strong
institutions, motivated professionals, cross-sector coordination and
cooperation,” said Dejana Kostadinova, Director of UNICEF in Serbia.
The World Bank,
together with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, supports Serbia’s efforts
to improve children’s cognitive skills during early childhood, which is the key
to building the country’s human capital and workforce productivity.
Investing in
children’s early education is one of the smartest things a country can do. It
is an investment that brings better results in learning, health and behavior
for every child,” said Nikola Pontara, Director of the World Bank Office for
Serbia. ‚‚We are delighted that we are able to improve access to quality early
childhood education and that both teachers and families are involved in the
process, so that children feel empowered, feel understood by others and feel
free to learn actively and flexibly in an interactive environment.”
The new program
concept supports children’s learning in their natural situations – daily
routines, play and research. For the implementation of this approach, more than
95 percent of all professionals employed in public and private preschool
institutions and elementary schools were trained, while employees in public
institutions received support through mentoring and horizontal exchange.
Equally important is support for connecting with professionals from primary
education through training “On the common path of learning” in order
to ensure the continuity of support for children and families.
You can see the
photos here.
