Zaječar Initiative, a National Intervention grant recipient, is taking proactive steps to enhance civic education in Serbia. They organized meetings in Niš and Kragujevac, bringing together professors, teachers, and representatives from the civil sector to discuss challenges in teaching civic education and propose improvements.
The recurring theme of instilling virtues in young people from formal education to create better citizens suggests a focus on character development alongside academic knowledge. The participants seem to be emphasizing the need for more engaging and effective civic education.
In Niš, discussions revolved around the experiences of professors and teachers, highlighting problems in teaching civic education and offering recommendations.
Similarly, in Kragujevac, the focus was on making civic education more interesting and effective. The proposals discussed included the modernization of textbooks, manuals, and teaching methods, as well as standardizing the curriculum. Additionally, there was an emphasis on introducing topics related to the growth and maturation of young people.
The Zaječar Initiative plans to conduct similar consultative meetings in three more cities, involving various stakeholders in civic education. The outcomes of these meetings will be compiled into another policy brief document with consolidated recommendations, which will be submitted to competent institutions for consideration.
It’s encouraging to see collaborative efforts to enhance civic education and address the challenges faced by educators in Serbia. The emphasis on modernization, standardization, and inclusivity in curriculum development reflects a commitment to providing a more engaging and relevant civic education for students.
