Online classes were the only solution at certain moments during the pandemic. We reacted quickly and adequately and we all understood very well who had to do what. We had a common goal, namely that no child should bear the consequences of the pandemic, when it comes to their education.
The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed everyday life and it seems that it has mostly affected one of the most important areas – education. It was difficult for students to start their school year online, as it was for those who had to change their everyday routine and get used to teachers being a click away.
It was especially challenging for educators to adapt to the new work system. From the very beginning of the pandemic, preserving the health of children and all employees in the education system was the top priority. Therefore, since the beginning of the school year, the team that monitors and coordinates the implementation of preventive measures in schools, which consists of representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the Milan Jovanović Batut Public Health Institute, has been meeting regularly to make decisions on the format of classes every week. Thanks to that, schools have remained a place of quality teaching. The education system has adequately responded to the new and sudden circumstances imposed by the coronavirus pandemic and has demonstrated great flexibility. The Ministry recently distributed 7,000 computers and 480 printers to elementary and high secondary schools throughout Serbia, because the digitalization of the educational system is one of the priorities, while the pandemic itself has additionally validated the importance and necessity of this process.
The pandemic has completely changed the way we are educated. What parameters did you use when making decisions about teaching format?
Since September 1st, the team that monitors and coordinates the implementation of preventive measures in schools, which consists of representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the Milan Jovanović Batut Public Health Institute, has been meeting regularly to make decisions on the format of classes weekly. Thanks to that, schools have remained a place of quality teaching.
This team was formed in order for the teaching to be organized in the best possible way and for us to respond adequately and timely to changes in the epidemiological situation. Every proposal is considered and every decision is made by agreement and in the best interest of both students and employees.
The fact remains that this system and the decision to divide classes into groups, if students are infected, have yielded results.
Our priorities include the modernization and digitalization of the teaching process, improving the quality and efficiency of the education system, as well as making education equally accessible to all students.
How have these teaching formats affected the quality of education and acquired knowledge?
Despite the pandemic, schools remained a place of quality teaching. For instance, the report written by the Institute for the Evaluation of the Quality of Education showed that in the school year 2020/2021, at the end of the eighth grade, 43.2 percent of students had excellent results. Also, the same analysis showed that achieved better results on average in their final exams in the 2020/2021 school year compared to the previous school year.
I must commend the educators who worked diligently and dedicatedly so that education would not suffer during the pandemic. I will also like to remind you that despite the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus epidemic, the teaching process never stopped in Serbia. Students’ progress and achievements have been monitored continuously.
Do you think that these changes could be applied after the pandemic too?
Every reform is a long and comprehensive process. The same applies to education. The basic directions in which the reform will take place are defined by the Education Development Strategy, as well as the concomitant Action Plan. We must ensure the continuity of the reform process.
Extensive reform of the education system has been carried out perpetually in the last few years. Our priorities include the modernization and digitalization of the teaching process, improving the quality and efficiency of the education system, as well as making education equally accessible to all students. Despite the specific circumstances imposed on us by the coronavirus pandemic, we have been working towards achieving that goal.
By having contemporary education we respond to the needs of businesses and create conditions for lifelong learning and continuous professional development of individuals. Dual education is a good example of this.
In which way will students take their high school entrance exam this year?
Due to the decision to extend the school year by three days and the changes in the Educational Work Calendar, the final exam for eighth-grade students will be held on June 27, 28 and 29, 2022. Before that, students will have the opportunity to test their knowledge at the mock final exam that will be held in March. On Friday, March 25, a mock final exam in mathematics will be held, and on Saturday, March 26, an exam in Serbian, i.e. the mother tongue, as a combined test within the mock final exam. Students need to attend the preparatory classes for the final exam. Additional classes are already being held because we because of student competitions in the coming period. Also, additional classes are important, regardless of what grades students have. These classes allow students to refresh their knowledge and better understand areas that they have not mastered best.
Do you think that the generations of students that will complete their education online format will be less qualified and why?
We should bear in mind that online teaching is a more demanding format of teaching for both students and teachers, but I think that we overcame all the difficulties we had encountered in the beginning very quickly and successfully and that the educational system adequately responded to all circumstances during the pandemic.
In terms of the quality of teaching, teachers have prepared online classes that are top-notch, which can be applied in teaching as examples of good practice. They tried to enhance online teaching with additional activities and new content. Online teaching was the only solution at a certain point in time during the pandemic. We reacted quickly and adequately and we all understood very well who had to do what. We had a common goal, namely that no child should bear the consequences of the pandemic, when it comes to their education.
The Ministry has recently distributed 7,000 computers and 480 printers to elementary and high schools across Serbia, to improve the teaching process. This support will be important in performing regular educational activities, but also in further developing the digital literacy of both teachers and students.
Which areas of vocational education are most needed? Was vocational education also affected by the pandemic?
The attractiveness of certain worker profiles is greatly influenced by working conditions, opportunities for quick employment and job changes, as well as the current status of a given profession, i.e. the average salary on the labour market.
By having contemporary education we respond to the needs of businesses and create conditions for lifelong learning and continuous professional development of individuals. Dual education is a good example of this. The range of educational profiles largely depends on the needs of businesses. Some of the educational profiles that have been quite in demand include air traffic technician, aircraft technician, mechatronics technician, information technology technician, electrician, machinist-welder, machine operator and cook.
How far has digitalization in the education system come and what are the plans?
The digitalization of the educational system is one of the priorities, and the pandemic itself has highlighted the importance and necessity of this process.
In addition to providing IT equipment to schools, digitalization includes, among other things, the development of new electronic services that save our citizens time. In the past period, we have created an e-enrollment service, which facilitated the enrollment of children in preschools and elementary schools, as well as enrollment in high schools and universities. Furthermore, the digitization of the final exam, taken at the end of elementary school, began last year.
We will continue to equip digital classrooms and computer cabinets so that students can have up-to-date computers at their disposal. The Ministry has recently distributed 7,000 computers and 480 printers to elementary and high schools across Serbia, to improve the teaching process. This support will be important in performing regular educational activities, but also in further developing the digital literacy of both teachers and students. Also, it will facilitate teacher training, provide support to students and boost the digitalization of teaching processes. We plan to distribute almost 20,000 computers in 2022.