Start date: October 1, 2006
End date: February 20, 2012
Project budget: $18,511,112
Implementer: FHI 360
Objectives
Improve the quality of instruction with particular emphasis on helping students to develop critical thinking skills, improve their use of ICT and increase their employment skills, all aimed at helping them to succeed in the job market; improve learning environments; develop quality digital learning materials to enable active inquiry-based learning; revitalize math and science education; and improve school-based assessment.
Components
- School Renovations – including windows, floors, roofs, heating systems and more, averaging $30,000 each. Workshops are conducted to encourage parents and the wider community to create effective learning environments, with each school receiving educational equipment and materials worth $2,000 for classrooms.
- ICT in Schools - Provide digital content, train teachers and develop maintenance solutions. Develop and promote innovative use of ICT for delivering content in the classroom. PEP is organizing ICT deployment workshops for all primary school directors to familiarize them with the computerization process, discuss the implications for classroom organization, teaching and learning, and present possible classroom designs.
- Math and Science Education -(managed by Indiana University) – Work with Ministry of Education & Science MOES) to train teachers and develop materials to enable students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Student Assessment - (managed by the Macedonian Civic Education Center) - Train teachers to meet national standards and create resources to support quality formative ad summative assessment in schools.
- Workforce Skills – Increase workforce skills in students (ability to use technology, communication, creativity, initiative, teamwork, learning to learn, etc.), by introducing new technology and helping the students to identify appropriate career paths in order to meet the demands of the 21st century job market and society. Areas of intervention include technology/technical education, entrepreneurial education and career education.
Achievements/Impact
PEP has renovated and created a better learning environment in over 120 schools throughout Macedonia. Monitoring and evaluation has shown improved thermal and audio conditions in renovated classrooms as well as safer and cleaner learning environments. Forty-three education software programs (EDUBUNTU) were customized and are used in the classrooms; the G-Compris suite of over 100 education games has been localized. Student Support Technician Clubs (SSTCs) have been established in all primary schools in Macedonia to provide preventative maintenance for school computers, both for Microsoft and Linux operating systems. Each SSTC has two teachers trained to work with them. PEP trained 7,142 lower-grade teachers in the use of Classmate laptops and EDUBUNTU applications, 9,134 upper-grade teachers in the use of EDUBUNTU in the teaching and learning process and 2,150 Math and Science teachers in the use of Edubuntu Subject Specific applications. PEP introduced the ThinkQuest educational portal and instructed 272 teachers from 160 schools in how to use it. Over 4,250 Math and Science teachers were trained to use active methods of teaching through research and problem solving. Students Science Clubs were established in 88 primary schools and have involved more than 2,000 students in solving science problems. 21st century technology labs were established and equipped in 40 primary schools; and over 300 more labs will be equipped by the end of the project. Over 100 teachers co-authored the Contemporary Teaching Practice Handbook for teachers. Standards for Entrepreneurship Education were developed; a Program for Employability and Entrepreneurship was piloted in six primary schools. National Standards for School-based Assessment and the Code of Assessment Ethics are now being implemented. PEP trained 8,719 upper-grade teachers and school managers in formative assessment; 1,488 teachers and school administrators in summative assessment; and 150 teachers in test items development. A web application E-item bank has been developed and transferred to the State Examination Center.
Sustainability/Legacy
Primary education in Macedonia is in a process of continuous reforms as the country positions itself for EU membership. PEP is addressing the problem by working with the Bureau for Development of Education, State Examination Center and State Education Inspectorate on policy and system improvements, and building partnerships between schools and municipal governments.
Contact Information
Deputy Education Office Director and AOTR: Lela Jakovlevska; ljakovlevska@usaid.gov
Chief of Party: Nebojsa Mojsoski, nmojsoski@pep.org.mk
Website: www.pep.org.mk