Serbia
Context and needs: In 2002, a joint analysis by the World Bank and the European Union revealed the need to reform the educational system in Serbia and Montenegro in order to improve the quality of education. The analysis recommended replacing the learning-by-heart methods currently used with active methods that encourage the development of skills and critical thought. The PISA tests carried out in 2006 confirmed the results of the first study, demonstrating that the skills of children below the age of 16 were below the OECD average, and getting worse.
The reforms needed include: 1) developing a new ethic for teaching staff and strengthening their capacities; 2) setting out an institutional framework and building capacities to enable better teaching practices to be implemented and institutionalised (this concerns schools, regional authorities, inspectors, and institutions capable of offering adequate continuing training to teachers); 3) providing sufficient resources and using them effectively; and 4) establishing a legislative framework with the aim of giving children a good education. The programme for this reform also includes:
- Greater inclusion of marginalised groups: the Serbian government estimates that 80,000 primary-school-aged children (5%) do not attend school. Most of these children are from the Roma minority or are disabled. 63% of Roma parents did not themselves have access to primary education, which means that Roma children have a disadvantage from the start. In addition, they do not often speak Serbian. This lack of primary education is one of the major causes of poverty in Serbia and Montenegro.
- Better correlation between the skills taught in school and the needs of the labour market.
- A more positive approach to lifelong learning.
Current programme and goals: The SDC has supported education in Serbia since 2000. Between 2001 and 2009, the SDC provided financing of CHF 18 million, which was invested in three areas:
- The professional development and continuing training of teachers (there are more than 108,000 teachers in Serbia and Montenegro)
- Institutional support from the Ministry of Education
- Support for the integration of Roma, other minorities and vulnerable children.
The programme has two main focuses: 1) professional development and continuing training for teachers; and 2) integration of the Roma and other marginalised individuals through education. Three partners – UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Pomoc Deci – invested CHF 5,729,720 in the latter programme between 2001 and 2008.
The purpose of work is a) to put in place a good quality education system that is fair and efficient and enables children and young people to develop useful skills and to thrive, and b) to achieve Millennium Development Goal No.2.
The objectives are: 1) to strengthen the Ministry of Education’s capacities in order to ensure that current and future reforms are effective and conform with national education strategies; 2) to develop the skills of teaching staff in order to improve teaching standards; and 3) to set up education models and an institutional framework that include marginalised children, in at least 60 districts.
Resources:
|
Project/programme |
Partners |
Start of collaboration |
Current stage |
SDC contribution in CHF |
Other partners |
|
1. Professional development and continuing education for teachers: five additional regional centres have been set up, and the professional development programme (PDP) has been consolidated |
Ministry of Education: various central and decentralised entities |
Since 2000 - PDP - Education Reform Coordination Unit (ERCU) Phase 1: (2003-2006) |
Phase 3: (2007-2009) Phase 4: (2010-2013) being prepared (support for the professional development of education and a European initiative) |
2,770,000 |
World Bank (programme to decentralise public services), EC (supporting inclusive education), GTZ (supporting reform of professional training), EU |
|
2. Joint programme with three strategic partners to integrate Roma and marginalised individuals through education |
Ministry of Education; UNICEF, IFRC and Pomoc Deci |
Programme supported by UNICEF, IFRC and Pomoc Deci since 2001 |
Phase 1: (2009-2011) |
5,000,000 |
Achievements so far:
For the first programme (the professional development of teaching staff):
- A professional development system has been planned and accepted by the parties concerned.
- A Centre for Professional Development has been created within the Institute for Education Advancement.
- A market providing access to continuing training for teaching staff has been set up. Every five years, teachers must now prove that they have completed at least 100 hours of training that is recognised by the accreditation commission. All NGOs can offer courses as long as they meet the criteria set by the commission (more than 800 courses are currently on offer).
- Three regional centres have been opened, with more than 10,000 teachers in 2008 receiving training through 278 courses. Financing: municipal funds, Ministry subsidies, contributions from schools and teachers. Five further regional centres have been chosen for the next stage.
- A law on the structure of the education system was adopted at the end of August 2009 and came into effect in September 2009. It names the core institutions responsible for education and sets out the work that needs to be done for the professional development system.
- The elements needed for professional development are now in place: a specific entity has been put in charge of monitoring quality and content; a mechanism for offering training and support has been defined; and a system for promoting teachers and strengthening their capacities has been set up.
- Key individuals and strategic partners have been identified.
Targeted groups and organisations: A) teaching staff, entities within the Ministry of Education, and B) Roma children and youths, other minorities, and vulnerable children.
Partners: Serbian Ministry of Education, Pomoc Deci, Red Cross Movement, and UNICEF
Documents and further information:
PDP 2009 Evaluation; 2009 Evaluation of the Roma Programme, Red Cross 2008
The Roma in the Western Balkans. Education: the key to integration
| The Roma Education Fund Strategy 2010-1015 November 2009 Author: Roma Education Fund The Roma Education Fund (REF) has become the leading international organisation tackling the important issue of Roma Education. Its strategy includes numerous interesting information about the topic. | |
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Contact person: Lidia Vujicic
