The cities of Varaždin, Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split are now richer with new, modern Regional Education Centers (RECs). The centers were opened by the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET as part of the pilot project „e-Schools: Establishing a System for Developing Digitally Mature Schools,“ with an investment value of 3.6 million kuna.
All five ROCs were opened simultaneously via videoconference, and the central ceremony was held at the First Gymnasium Varaždin, where the opening of the ROCs was attended by the heads of CARNET and the e-Schools pilot project, as well as the Minister of Science and Education, Prof. Dr. Sc. Blaženka Divjak.
„In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we must make a digital leap in the work of our schools. A major stride is already visible in education, especially in the area of digital transformation. The First Gymnasium in Varaždin is one of the schools leading the way, and that's why a regional educational center has been opened there. A modern approach to education, mutual cooperation, project-based work, and learning from examples of good practice will help us create and prepare our students not only for the 21st but also for the 22nd century,“ stated Minister Divjak, expressing her satisfaction that she had just opened the ROC in the school she herself attended and where she began her career. Minister Divjak also announced efforts to ensure that the second phase of the „e-Schools“ project will include all primary and secondary schools in Croatia.
The regional educational centers opened in the mentioned cities are multifunctional and technologically innovative spaces intended for educational activities within schools, as well as for educational events organized by local communities. Each center is equipped with ICT infrastructure and equipment that follows the latest educational trends and teaching methods. In addition to wired and wireless networks, the centers are equipped with 30 laptops and 30 tablet devices with keyboards, two touch screens, and a classroom management system. Each ROC is also equipped with multifunctional furniture whose modularity allows for quick changes to the classroom setup, depending on the mode of education delivery.
„The establishment and equipping of ROCs contribute to the systematic education of school staff and the strengthening of their digital competencies. The various educational activities that will now be able to be organized in the ROC premises, not only for the needs of the e-Schools project, but also for the activities of all interested schools and the local community, are an added value that the e-Schools pilot project brings to local communities through these ROCs, stated Andrijana Prskalo Maček, head of the e-Schools pilot project and deputy director of CARNET.
Goran Kezunović, Director of CARNET, emphasized that the e-Schools pilot project is successfully entering its final phase, and preparations are underway for the second, large-scale phase of the project. „With a major project planned for the period from 2019 to 2022, we aim to digitally transform the teaching and business processes in the remaining 1200 primary and secondary schools in Croatia. The project follows international trends in the application of information and communication technology in education and relies on best global practices and policies for the use of ICT in the development and improvement of education,“ added Director Kezunović.
As part of the opening ceremony, a short demonstration lesson on the use of ICT in teaching was held in each regional center, and attendees were able to see for themselves the significance and possibilities of technology in modern and innovative teaching.
Additional information about Regional Educational Centers
Regional education centers are located in schools that were selected through the Call for Expressions of Interest for the establishment of ROCs. A total of 72 schools applied, and the following were selected:
- Trade Technical School Split
- Franjo Krežma Elementary School, Osijek
- Gornja Vežica Elementary School, Rijeka
- Vladimir Prelog School of Natural Sciences, Zagreb
- First Gymnasium Varaždin
The equipping of the ROCs was fully financed from the e-Schools pilot project funds, which are co-financed by EU funds at a rate of 85%.
Projekt je sufinancirala Europska unija iz europskih strukturnih i investicijskih fondova.