International Recognition for Digitalisation of Schools in Croatia

In March 2018, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed Croatian e-Schools project among top 12 projects in the world introducing ICT in education in 2017, in competition with 143 projects from 79 countries. Since 2005, the annual UNESCO award is conferred to individuals and organisations that promote innovative use of new technologies in expanding access to high quality education and lifelong learning. In particular, the 2017 competition highlighted the use of ICT in widening access to education, with particular focus on projects aimed at offering high quality education to disadvantaged social groups.

The pilot project “ e-Schools: Establishing a System for Developing Digitally Mature Schools” aims at raising and improving levels of digitalisation of primary and secondary schools in Croatiathrough piloting and evaluating the implementation of ICT in educational and business processes in 10% of Croatian schools. In 2017, project activities included the development of infrastructure and equipment procurement for schools and regional education centres and the installation of wireless networks in 145 schools. Further activities encompassed the development and the implementation of digital content repository, process informatization system, organisational analytics system, along with digital education content such as e-Reading and two massive online open courses (MOOCs). Finally, project activities involved project impact assessment and evaluation of schools’ digital maturing, as well as capacity-building workshops and webinars for teachers.

The project coordinating body is the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET, with the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education as the project partner and the Ministry of Science and Education as the responsible authority for the development and maintenance of infrastructure for the introduction of new technologies in education and research system in Croatia. The pilot project value is over 40M €, with 85% of the budget co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Based on the results of the pilot project e-Schools, implemented in the period from 2015-2018, full-scale implementation of Croatian schools’ digitalisation is planned for the period from 2019-2022. The comprehensive digitalisation of Croatian schools is expected to advance efficiency and transparency in primary and secondary school management in Croatia, enhance digital competences of teachers and students and thus promote innovation in education and competitiveness of the future work force in Croatia.

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In May-June 2021, the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb conducted a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Croatia. The survey concludes that the effects of the pandemic on learners’ wellbeing and learning progress were considerable; it calls for effective policy responses.

While facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the WorldSkills Croatia 2021 competition was held live from 11 to 13 May in Zagreb, Croatia, for over 300 IVET learners in 43 disciplines.

From March to June 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown and the school transition to distance learning, the Agency for VET and Adult Education (ASOO) conducted a survey on the experience, attitudes and needs associated with distance learning in Croatia. They asked 1348 IVET and CVET teachers to assess digital competences, distance learning delivery and available support. Further surveys were also conducted among pre-tertiary and provider levels to plan support and different scenarios for education and training delivery in 2020/21.

The Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes that occurred in the spring and winter of 2020 respectively, caused major disruption in the education process at all levels, including VET.

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