EXPERT CONSULTATION OF DEANS AND DIRECTORS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS EDUCATING TEACHERS FOR WORK IN PRESCHOOL INSTITUTIONS HELD

On October 31, 2024, the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Slavica Đukić Dejanović, addressed the participants of the Expert Consultation of Deans and Directors of Higher Education Institutions Educating TEACHERS for Work in Preschool Institutions and stated that the activities of the Ministry, as well as partner institutions, institutions and organizations dealing with preschool education, are aimed at connecting and cooperating, which will contribute to improving the quality of preschool education.

“In the previous period, we initiated activities to improve the initial education of preschool teachers, especially in segments related to the implementation of professional practice, and we also worked on harmonizing study programs in accordance with the Standards of Competence for the Preschool Teacher Profession and its Professional Development,” said the Minister.

Đukić Dejanović added that in addition, an analysis of study programs was carried out on key subjects of study programs that educate preschool teachers to work in preschool institutions.

“Proposals have been prepared for improving the Standards for Accreditation of Study Programs for the Education of Preschool Teachers. These proposals have been finalized with members of the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and the Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance. We expect that higher education institutions that educate preschool teachers will implement the recommendations of the Ministry in the next accreditation process, because in accordance with the Action Plan for the Education Strategy, it is planned that 28 accredited study programs for the education of teachers and preschool teachers will be amended or re-accredited according to the revised standards for the accreditation of study programs by 2026,” said the Minister.

She emphasized that significant changes have begun and that it is important that all relevant participants share the same values ​​and vision for the further development of the preschool education system, which is a prerequisite for the sustainability of changes and solving challenges from which we have the opportunity to learn, change, cooperate, research and act in the interest of preschool education.

In addition to representatives of the Ministry of Education, the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and the Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance, the Institute for Quality Assessment of Education and the Institute for the Improvement of Education, the expert consultation brought together around 100 participants from public universities and faculties that educate educators, representatives of preschool institutions, professional associations in preschool and primary education.

The Ministry of Education, within the framework of the Inclusive Preschool Education project, with financial support from the World Bank, provides support for the improvement of initial teacher education as part of the reform processes in the preschool education system initiated by the adoption of the Standards of Competencies for the Preschool Education Profession and the adoption of the Foundations of the Preschool Education Program “Godine uzleta”.

You can view the photos here.

You can view the report from the conference here.