Minister of Education Prof. Dr Slavica Djukić Dejanović and the mayor of Prijepolje, Drago Popadić, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new kindergarten within the Preschool Institution “Miša Cvijović” in Prijepolje, which will be built in this town after 40 years.

“Today, we are here for a special reason – laying the foundation stone for a new kindergarten that will provide 200 new places for children. The strategic goal of our state and the Ministry of Education is to make education accessible to all, to ensure the best conditions for learning and work, to implement the most modern programs, and to encompass a larger number of children through upbringing and education. We achieve this goal by building kindergartens across Serbia, including the one here in Prijepolje, whose construction we start today, and also the one in Čačak, where construction began yesterday,” she stated.

The minister emphasized that building kindergartens contributes to the ‘Leap into the Future 2027’ project.

“There is no better way and better connectivity between local government units, the Ministry of Education, and state policy than when we think in this way about children and creating better conditions for their education,” said Djukić Dejanović, adding that nurturing friendship and diversity, especially in multinational environments like Prijepolje, is very important.

According to her, the new facility in Prijepolje will cover approximately 1,300 square meters, with over 142 million dinars allocated for its construction.

“Our aspiration is to involve as many children as possible in preschool upbringing and education, ensuring that they learn and grow in a stimulating environment,” the minister said, highlighting that special attention is given to the quality of preschool upbringing and education, as it is the foundation for a successful future.

She emphasized the importance of ongoing professional development activities for educators.

Support provided through the “Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care” project also focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of educators to implement the new ‘Years of Ascent’ programmatic concept. This support is extended to educators and staff in kindergartens in Prijepolje,” she noted.

Before laying the foundation stone for the new kindergarten, the minister visited Brodarevo and toured the “Srce” kindergarten, which was adapted and equipped under the project and currently serves 90 children. She also visited the “Svetozar Marković” Elementary School in Brodarevo.

Drago Popadić, the president of the municipality of Prijepolje, particularly highlighted the support from the Ministry of Education and the World Bank, recognizing the importance of investing in the education of the youngest.

He stated that children are our future and that investing in their education is the most important step towards building a prosperous society.

“This kindergarten represents the achievement of our goals in the field of education and child care, aiming for every child to have access to kindergarten and to receive equal conditions for preschool development.” He added that the construction of this kindergarten will eliminate waiting lists.

In collaboration with the World Bank, the Ministry of Education is implementing the construction of new, expansion, adaptation, and equipping of existing facilities within the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project across Serbia. A total of 23 kindergartens will be covered by this project, with an investment value of 47 million euros.

You can see the photos here.

On February 27, 2024, Minister of Education Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic and Mayor of Cacak Milun Todorovic laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new kindergarten in the village of Zablace, near Cačck.

Over 110 million dinars will be invested in the construction of the new kindergarten, which will cover an area of 1200 m2. The construction of the new facility will provide 120 new places for children, contributing to reducing the waiting list for enrollment in preschool institutions.

“The Ministry of Education, with the support of the World Bank, continues to work diligently and dedicatedly to expand the capacities of preschool institutions across Serbia by constructing new facilities and expanding and adapting existing ones. Our goal is to involve as many children as possible in the preschool education system, especially those from socially vulnerable groups. We also pay special attention to the quality of preschool education, as we believe it is the foundation for a successful future,” said Minister of Education Prof. Dr Slavica Đukić Dejanović.

She added that within the Project “Inclusive Childhood Education and Care” the city of Čačak received a grant of 4.8 million dinars.

“The city administration and the Ministry directed these funds towards adaptation and equipping of spaces, thanks to which 90 children from sensitive groups are now attending the preschool program. Simultaneously, work has been done with the parents of these children through continuous implementation of the ‘Schools for Parents’ program, which has provided a new approach to family relationships from a sociological and educational perspective,” added the Minister.

She reminded that education holds a special place in the project ‘Leap into the Future Serbia – 2027,’ and that the beginning of the construction of a new kindergarten in Zablaće is evidence of this.

Mayor of Čačak Milun Todorović stated that he was honored to ceremoniously mark the beginning of the construction of the kindergarten in Zablaće together with the Minister today, a facility that will accommodate around 120 children from 10 local communities.

“After three years of intensive work by the local government and the relevant ministry to obtain all the conditions for building the kindergarten, it has officially started, to the great satisfaction of all of us, especially the children and parents living in these local communities. We thank the Ministry of Education, which recognized our city and included us in the very significant project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care“, as well as the World Bank, which finances it with 167 million dinars, while the City of Čačak participated with just over six million dinars for project development and land purchase,” said Mayor Milun Todorović, thanking the Minister for her visit.

The construction of new kindergartens is part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” project, which the Ministry of Education is implementing with the support of the World Bank. This Project is dedicated to increasing the capacities of preschool institutions throughout Serbia by 11,000 new places, as well as improving preschool education through the introduction of New Program Foundations, training of professional staff, mentor support, and educator training.

You can see the photos here.

Through the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” implemented by the Ministry of Education, the adaptation with the furnishing of ambient space for two work rooms in the separate department of the Elementary School “Emilija Ostojić” in Gorobilje has been carried out, and two more are in progress in Prilipac.

The preschool institution “Olga Jovicić Rita” in Požega was founded in 1965 (primarily at the Social Services Centre) and celebrates its 60th anniversary next year. Currently, the institution operates with 42 educational groups, accommodating 1042 children and approximately 157 staff members.

Within the town itself, the institution has three facilities, and since 2016, it has initiated a pilot project for full-day programs in separate departments of rural schools. The interest in enrolling children in rural schools at that time was unexpected and continues to show a trend of steady growth.  This step has created multifunctional benefits. Closed rural schools have started to regain their former glory and have become lively again. Young people are staying in rural environments, and employment rates in suitable kindergarten profiles have increased.

Today, we have eight rural schools with a full-day program from our preschool institution, forming twelve groups with over 170 children. It’s worth noting that there have been no capital investments in rural schools since the 1980s.

Through this project of the Ministry of Education and the World Bank, equipping four work rooms involving construction work and furnishing ambient space has unequivocally not only brought closer but also aligned the working space with European standards. The furniture was carefully selected according to age groups and standards, in line with spatial units that will evoke personal affinities, permanent engagement, and wonder in children. Didactics, consumables, and literature are in accordance with the new program foundations.

Thanks to these and similar projects in our country, we ensure quality upbringing and equal conditions for children wherever they are born on the map of Serbia. Children are the only true, unmissable investment that should be made.”

You can see the photos here.

Within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” implemented by the Ministry of Education, financed by the World Bank loan, 7 educational rooms have been equipped in the kindergarten “Poletarac” Ljubovija.

The kindergarten “Poletarac” Ljubovija has been engaged in educational work continuously for over forty years, since its foundation in 1981 in a building constructed the same year.

In the academic year 2023/2024, a total of 254 children were enrolled, with 236 in full-day and 18 in half-day programs. In recent years, the institution has faced a space shortage for accommodating children. The number of newborns increases annually, leading to growing interest in kindergarten enrolment. In the latest enrolment competition, 40 preschool-aged children remained on the waiting list.

Over the decades, the institution has renovated within its capabilities, participated in various projects, conducted adaptations, and expanded capacities to admit more children. In the past decade, the Municipality of Ljubovija also faced two major floods that affected the kindergarten. The latest reconstruction in 2023 involved renovating the entire facility, necessitating the temporary relocation and subsequent return of all furniture, which further affected its wear and tear and quality.

The implementation of the Ministry of Education’s project ‘Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care’, which equipped educational rooms in the institution, is of great significance. It collectively ensures quality conditions, a healthy environment, and surroundings for every child attending the institution, aiming for their holistic development—intellectually, physically, and educationally—thus contributing to happier childhoods and a solid foundation for the future.

A total of seven rooms are fully equipped with furniture, didactic materials, and toys that are tailored to the needs and ages of the children attending the respective educational groups.

You can see the photos here.

Within the project “Inclusive Preschool Education and Care” implemented by the Ministry of Education, financed by the World Bank loan, 2 work rooms have been equipped in the kindergarten ‘Arilje’, Municipality of Arilje.

The preschool institution ‘Arilje’ was founded in 1976.

The kindergarten’s location is ideal, surrounded by a large green area, centrally located among buildings and away from the street. The playground space exceeds the prescribed norms.

The institution’s main activities are governed by the Law on the Foundations of the Education System, the Law on Preschool Education, the Law on Public Services, and the Statute. Activities are carried out in three facilities at the headquarters and in separate facilities at primary schools in rural areas, with a capacity of around 650 children. The kindergarten has long faced problems due to lack of space for accommodating children. Currently, there are 150 children on the waiting list.

Through the World Bank loan, the Ministry of Education, under the project ‘Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care’, allocated part of the funds to fully equip 2 work rooms, enabling enrolment of an additional 30 preschool children. This contribution aims to reduce the number of children on the waiting list.

The rooms are equipped with furniture, toys, didactic materials, consumables, picture books, and books, carefully selected to meet the needs of different age groups.”

You can see the photos here.