CARNET, the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation – IRIM, and the Ministry of Science and Education presented a major ProMikro project with the objective of introducing digital literacy into various course subjects and extracurricular activities through the use of microcomputers. An interactive programming demonstration using micro:bit was held at the joint media conference.
“The introduction of microcomputer programming in Croatian primary schools is a commendable initiative by the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation and Mr. Nenad Bakić personally, and it aligns perfectly with the Government's STEM Croatia program. Providing all 6th-grade students with the opportunity to work with microcomputers aims to develop their digital competencies, foster creativity and innovation, and promote an interdisciplinary approach to using information technologies. This project contributes to the digital transformation of schools and enhances their digital maturity, ultimately supporting the goal of creating schools for life, not just for grades. I would like to express my gratitude to IRIM for this initiative, to CARNET and the Croatian Employers’ Association for their partnership, and also to the team within the Ministry who have demonstrated that the system must be inclusive and that we can achieve significant progress together! Never forget: opportunities for change do not appear on their own – we create them!’ stated Blaženka Divjak, Ph.D., the Minister of Science and Education.
“Our portfolio of STEM activities on various platforms has already reached 45,000 children in Croatia, but our main project is based on BBC micro:bit, of which we are a regional partner. This technology enables radical steps forward in digital literacy and the introduction of cross-curricular life informatics with full democratization and equality of opportunities. Our goal is to make Croatian students equal 21st-century citizens. Our STEM revolution action has significant public support, and our goal from the beginning was for every child in a generation to receive a microcomputer and for teachers to get the necessary education. Although we could have achieved that goal ourselves, we believed it would be ideal to accomplish it in synergy with institutions, so we offered it to the previous Ministry, but unfortunately, without success. However, in this Ministry, we have found excellent partners, and I believe we are on the right path to making MSE recognized as the Ministry of the Future. Specifically, education is the biggest investment that a family, but also society as a whole, makes, and with the clear and brave leadership that we now have, it is also an opportunity for the unity that we lack in Croatia today,” said IRIM co-founder and entrepreneur, Mr. Nenad Bakić.
“CARNET continues to work on developing the digital competencies of our users because we know that the development of this knowledge and these skills is one of the key preconditions for an individual's successful inclusion into present society and the labor market, and we will continue on this path. The use of microcomputers in teaching develops digital skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving ability,” said CARNET CEO, Mr. Goran Kezunović.
“Digitalization and the use of new technologies in business and everyday life are essential for the economic and social development of every country today. This is why the Croatian Employers Association happily and readily decided to support this project by funding the training of teachers in the use of microcomputers. This project will provide children with early access to new technologies and the adoption of knowledge and skills development required for their use in order to prepare them in a timely manner for future life and the labor market. We consider our investment to be a long-term investment in a better future and the progress of Croatia. We have stressed many times that we believe educational reform is the foundation of all reforms, and therefore we hope this extremely valuable initiative will soon be followed by other changes that will provide us with a higher quality and more competitive education,’ said Mr. Davor Majetić, Director General at the Croatian Employers Association (HUP).
Any school interested in the Public Invitation For participation in the ProMikro project, teachers will be provided with an opportunity for teacher education by IRIM, and schools will independently decide on methods for using microcomputers in their classes. Teacher education from interested schools will begin in early October at various locations, and participation does not require prior knowledge of microcomputer programming. In addition to the education, all teachers will be provided with micro:bit computers for permanent use. School participation will be voluntary, and the deadline for expressing interest is September 20, 2017.