CARNET, the Institute for the Development and Innovativity of Youth – IRIM, and the Ministry of Science and Education presented the large ProMikro project, which aims to introduce digital literacy into various teaching subjects and extracurricular activities using microcomputers. An interactive demonstration of programming with micro:bits was also held at the joint press conference.
„The introduction of microcomputer programming in Croatian primary schools is a commendable initiative by the Institute for the Development and Innovation of Youth and Mr. Nenad Bakić personally, and it fits perfectly into the Government's STEM Croatia program. The introduction of microcomputer work for all 6th-grade students aims to develop students“ digital competencies, foster creativity and innovation, and promote an interdisciplinary approach to using information technologies. The project contributes to the digital transformation of schools and raises their level of digital maturity, ultimately contributing to the goal of building schools for life, not for grades. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Institute for the Development and Innovation of Youth, CARNET, and the Croatian Employers' Association for their partnership, as well as the team in the Ministry who have shown that the system needs to be inclusive and how we can all make great strides together! Never forget: the opportunity for change and progress doesn't exist, we create it ourselves!" emphasized the Minister of Science and Education, Prof. Dr. Sc. Blaženka Divjak.
„Our portfolio of STEM activities on various platforms has already reached 45,000 children in Croatia, but our main project is based precisely on the BBC micro:bit, of which we are also a regional partner. This is a technology that enables radical advances in digital literacy and the introduction of life informatics across subjects, with complete democratization and equal opportunities. Our goal is for Croatian students to be equal citizens of the 21st century. Our STEM Revolution campaign has received great public support, and from the beginning our goal was for every child in one generation to receive a microcomputer and for teachers to receive training. Although we could have achieved this goal on our own, we believed it would be ideal to pursue it with synergy with institutions, so we offered it to the previous ministry as well, unfortunately unsuccessfully. However, in this ministry, we have found excellent partners, and I believe we are on the right track for the Ministry of Science and Education to be recognized as the Ministry of the Future. Namely, education is the greatest investment that a family, as well as society as a whole, makes, and with the expressed clear and bold leadership that we see now, it is also an opportunity for unity, which we are missing today in Croatia,“ emphasized the co-founder of IRIM, entrepreneur Nenad Bakić.
„CARNET is continuously working on developing the digital competencies of our users, because we know that developing precisely these knowledge and skills is one of the key prerequisites for the successful inclusion of individuals in today's society and labor market, and we will continue to do so. By using microcomputers in teaching, digital skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities are developed,“ emphasized Goran Kezunović, Director of CARNET.
„Digitalization and the use of new technologies, both in business and in everyday life, are essential for the economic and social development of every country today. That is why the Croatian Employers” Association gladly and without hesitation decided to support this project by providing funds for the education of teachers in the use of microcomputers. Through this project, we will enable children early access to new technologies and the acquisition of knowledge and development of skills needed to use them, so that they are timely prepared for life and the future labor market. We consider our investment a long-term investment in a better future and the progress of Croatia. We have repeatedly emphasized that we consider education reform to be the foundation of all reforms, and therefore we hope that, along with this extremely valuable initiative, other changes will soon follow that will enable us a higher quality and more competitive education," emphasized HUP Director General Davor Majetić.
All schools that apply to the Public Call for Expression of Interest for participation in the ProMikro project will be provided with teacher training by IRIM, and schools will independently decide on the ways of using microcomputers in teaching. Teacher training for participating schools will be held at the beginning of October at various locations, and no prior knowledge of microcomputer programming is required to participate. In addition to training, all teachers will be provided with micro:bit computers for permanent use. School participation is voluntary, and the deadline for expressing interest is September 20, 2017.