Strategy for Early and Preschool

Education in Montenegro(2016-2020)

Process • Participatory• Analytical• Consultancy by the

UNICEF Office to Montenegro

Introduction• The Heckman curve

- Return on Investment

• PISA (2009)– the link between attending preschool and student attainment

• Compliance with relevant European and international standards

• Increasing preschool coverage• „Study on Invesitng in Early Education in Montenegro” • „Review of infrastructural capacities, coverage and

teaching staff of preschools”

State of playAchievements

• Increased coverage.

• Majority – full day programmes • New programmes.• New preschools: Podgorica, Žabljak, Budva,

Tivat, Nikšić, Bijelo Polje.• Early intervention in resource centres.• RE children – regular attendance, pre-preschool

in 8 different preschools• Interactive services.

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

13176 14329 14592 15068

15913

• Licenced private establishments• Book and toy resource packs – RE communities, Parent Association• Preschool for All campaign• Action Plans for five local self-

governments• Construction: Pljevlja, Ulcinj,

Bar i Podgorica: Stari aerodrom, Blok VI, Zagorič and Tuzi as the borough of Podgorica

Preschool education: Challenges

• Difference in access and coverage - 19% rural, 55% urban areas.

• Group size varies. • Great dispersion in some areas• Awareness among parents of the importance of

attending preschoolsMunicipality Preschool No of children No of

educational units

No of groups

Andrijevica Bajo Jojić 29 1 3Bar Vukosava Ivanović-

Mašanović843 8 27

Berane Radmila Nedić 421 3 18Bijelo Polje Dušo Basekić 781 10 34Budva Ljubica V. Jovanović-Maše 841 4 29Cetinje Zagorka Ivanović 541 2 19Danilovgrad Irena Radović 397 4 12Herceg Novi Naša radost 994 5 28Kolašin Sestre Radović 149 1 6Kotor Radost 755 7 30Mojkovac Jevrosima Rabrenović-Jevra 140 1 5Nikšić Dragan Kovačević 1519 21 65Plav Dječiji vrtić 223 3 8Pljevlja Eko bajka 414 3 17Plužine JU Obrazovni centar -

Plužine37 1 2

Podgorica Ljubica Popović 3259 9 84Đina Vrbica 3488 11 87

Rožaje Boško Buha 171 1 7Tivat Bambi 605 3 20Ulcinj Solidarnost 330 4 13Šavnik Obrazovni centar 18 1 1

• 3-hour programme• Adequate space• Standards• Social inclusion• Intra- and inter-sectoral

cooperation• Data collection and use• Fee payable by parents • Increased budget

allocation

Guiding principle – Ensure that developmental needs of all children aged 0 to school entry age are met through properly programmed

and infrastructure supported services delivered by competent professionals and staff, with active involvement of communities and

parents

Objective 1) Increase preschool coverage to all

children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 in line with international standards

Objective 2) Improve preschool service quality

Objective 3) Introduce innovative, optimised and

sustainable funding models

Principles

• Research and best practices• Learning through play• Life-long learning• Quality of teaching

Evidence-based and service quality

•Cooperation within and among sectors –support and services aligned•Integrated, directed, coordinated activities•3-hour preschool programme available•Integration - RE population, welfare institutions and rural areas•Early identification and intervention programmes.

Service integration,

individualisation and accessibility  

•Parents, communities, decision-makers, employers and other stakeholders•Clear roles and responsibilities, transparent and ongoing communication •Provide information on the relevance, value and importance of early learning

Participation and shared

responsibility

•Innovative models, alternative programmes•New, alternative, adapted, appealing, safe, equipped and creative rooms and buildings•Financial restructuring, collection of fees from parents and grants

Innovation and sustainability

Elaborated objectives

a) Construction; renovation; alternative spaces: regional primary schools, other

public and/or private buildings

b) Expand interactive services and book and toy resource packs

c) Innovative and flexible educational programmes (3-hour programme,

different schedules)

d) Intensive free-of-charge integration of RE children

e) Better detection and response to needs of children with special

educational needs

f) Develop programmes for active involvement of parents

g) Gather and use data within and among sectors

OBJECTIVE 1: Increase preschool

coverage to all children,

particularly those aged 3 to 6 in line with international

standards

a) Develop age-appropriate, inspiring, good quality, integrated and accessible

programmes and services for all children

b) Improved basic and advanced professional competences of current

and future practitioners

c) Improved support, monitoring, supervision and advisory services for

the staff

d) Develop quality standards and indicators for monitoring service

impacts and results

OBJECTIVE 2: Improve

preschool service quality

a) Consider the possibilities for increasing the budget allocation for

preschool education

b) PPPs for improving the range of programmes offered

c) Restructure and improve collection of fees payable by parents

d) Self-funded programmes

e) Promote the role and relevance of preschool education, overall

participation and investments

OBJECTIVE 3: Introduce innovative,

optimised and sustainable

funding models

Thank you for your attention!