If everything goes according to plan, construction of kindergarten in Rožaje, Block VI in Podgorica, Pljevlja and Herceg Novi will start this year, said Minister of Education, Mr Damir Šehović. He announces new project – introduction of digital classrooms and changing the so called ethos of schools – making students study for the knowledge, not for grades.
Mr Šehović confirmed the construction of kindergartens in City kvart, Block VI, Tuški put, Stari Aerodrom, Zlatica in Podgorica, as well as in Bijelo Polje, Berane, Plav, Pljevlja, Rožaje, Bar and Ulcinj.
Mr Šehović said that 38 capital projects worth €50 million confirmed government’s commitment to investments in long-term and sustainable projects.
“Our objective is to bring projects close to completion. When it comes to internal procedures, we do not procrastinate. I’d like to praise the efficiency of the Ministry of Education”, said Mr Šehović.
In the past period, Ministry has been working on restoring credibility of professional education – realization of dual education and providing support to third-degree students. As Minister says, the emphasis will be put on high-quality practice. Starting from September, around 800 students will be attending dual lectures.
“Make something using your own tow hands is something one should be proud of. To know how the world functions, is that a small thing?”, said Mr Šehović.
Our education system basically needs more high-quality understanding of the process and connection of lessons from different areas. In that context, digital technology is one of the most important mechanisms. Digital technology isn’t simply installing the computer in the classroom. Its more about urging the lecturers and students to use Internet and computers for stimulating children to create their own contents.
“To be more precise, a child can learn to memory that DNA carries genetic instructions. But high-quality animated image of DNA structure, its modifications, offers more comprehensive and more applicable knowledge”, says Minister.
In cooperation with British Council, Ministry will distribute around 4000 micro bit computers to every elementary school in Montenegro.
“In addition, around €3 million will be intended for the equipment of school cabinets. However, it’s only the beginning, since digital technology requires use of Internet, computers and software skills”, said Mr Šehović.
Commenting on the announced changes in specific subjects programs, Mr Šehović says that subjects of general education will still make a great segment of overall high school program.
Changing one group of mandatory courses into elective has drawn criticism as representatives of the Association of teachers of social subjects claimed that it would bring into question the concept of civil society.
“A citizen and civil society are not synonyms for pure theoretical knowledge. I’d say that civil society contains openness for different individual needs. Such citizens are created by balanced relation between theoretical knowledge and its practical application”, said Mr Šehović.
He points out that Ministry knew how to praise the success our students made in numerous regional and international competitions. A giant step forward in that context was the establishment of Fund for Quality and Talents which grants several thousand awards to the best students every year.
Minister reminds that students should be urged to understand what they learn.
Ministry has started working on the promotion of pre-school education.
“We now have 1700 new places in kindergartens, several new kindergartens and numerous units adapted to function as kindergartens. We are slowly but surely addressing the problem of overbooked kindergartens”, says Mr Šehović.
Mr Šehović says that a country whose citizens have a taste and know how to swim out of the sea of emptiness, will keep up with its development course.
