Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

The World Bank Board of Directors approved 47 million euros for the project “The Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)” in Serbia which is being implemented in cooperation with the “Novak Đoković” Foundation. With the help of this project, Serbia will add about 17,000 spots for children in preschool institutions.

The investment in early childhood development in the Western Balkans is not sufficient. In Serbia, only one in two children has access to pre-school education. Even when considering children ages 4 and above, the enrolment rate in Serbia is low in comparison to the enrolment target of 95 percent set by Europe to be reached by 2020. In most EU member states between 85 and 100 percent of children is enrolled in preschool institutions.

Furthermore, the report states that the access to early preschool education in Serbia is not equal: “While more that 80 percent of children from wealthy families is enrolled in preschools, less than 10 percent of children enrolled is from poor families. The enrolment of Roma children is only 6 percent. The Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project will provide the possibility for all children in Serbia to have access to preschool institutions”.

The project will not only finance formal education. In at least 30 municipalities the project will provide training and information for parents and preschool teachers on how to stimulate development in babies and small children. It will also support better health services, nutrition and protection from stress caused by their families or communities.

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project resulted from the partnership called “Early Wins for Lifelong Returns” between the World Bank and the “Novak Đoković” Foundation which was established in August 2015.

The project was designed under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, in close cooperation with partners such as UNICEF, Open Society Foundation, the European Commission and other partners who are active in this sector. This project is an addition to the support of the World Bank to Serbia aimed at the promotion of inclusive development and job creation, which is at this moment about US$1.6 billion, the report stated.

Source: www.dnevnik.rs