Enhancing and Advancing Basic Learning and Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina – ENABLE BIH Quarterly Narrative Report January - March 2019

The project is a cooperative agreement between Save the Children and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's primary goal is to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into the primary and secondary school curriculum. In the period from January to March 2019, the project team held technical-consultative working sessions with Ministries/Departments of Education, management of STEM model schools, STEM-PPDM Trainers/Mentors, and trained teachers in model schools. The sessions aimed to support the development of an Implementation Plan for STEM integration in regular curricula and teaching processes. The project team also completed the 3rd and last round of Training of Trainer (ToT) Training for a new group of STEM-PPDM master trainers/mentors. The training equipped 29 key educational professionals and field practitioners with an in-depth understanding of STEM and PPDM concepts, concrete methods for implementing and integrating STEM into the current curriculum, and practical tools and guidelines to replicate STEM in the classroom environment. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska and Save the Children in mid-February 2019. Additionally, a detailed MoU was signed with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska. The project team also prepared MoUs with the Faculties for Mathematics and Natural Science of Mostar and Sarajevo and Technological Park Intera from Mostar. The procurement and establishing of STEM Centers of Excellence in three STEM-related faculties (Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo) and Technological Park 'Intera' from Mostar are underway. These centers will facilitate STEM teaching and learning. The project team also organized the public and ceremonial opening of the first two STEM Laboratories in Republika Srpska in March 2019. The ENABLE-BiH project has made significant progress in integrating STEM into the primary and secondary school curriculum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project's efforts have equipped educational professionals and field practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement STEM in the classroom environment. The project's achievements demonstrate its commitment to enhancing and advancing basic learning and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project's activities have been focused on several key areas, including the development of an Implementation Plan for STEM integration, the training of STEM-PPDM master trainers/mentors, the establishment of STEM Laboratories, and the procurement and establishing of STEM Centers of Excellence. The project's progress has been significant, and its achievements have the potential to positively impact the education sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ENABLE-BiH project's success is attributed to its collaborative approach, which involves working closely with Ministries/Departments of Education, management of STEM model schools, STEM-PPDM Trainers/Mentors, and trained teachers in model schools. The project's commitment to integrating STEM into the primary and secondary school curriculum has the potential to improve the quality of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enhance the country's competitiveness in the global economy.