CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW KINDERGARTEN STARTED IN THE VILLAGE OF ZABLACE NEAR CACAK

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.