Enhancing and Advancing Basic Learning and Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina – ENABLE BIH Quarterly Narrative Report for the period October - December 2018

The project is a cooperative agreement between the United States Agency for International Development and Save the Children. The project's purpose is to support the development of an implementation plan for the introduction and integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into the regular curriculum and teaching process in primary and secondary schools. During the period from October to December 2018, the ENABLE BIH 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 goal of these sessions was to support the development of an implementation plan for STEM introduction and integration in regular curricula and teaching processes. The project team also organized the 2nd round of Training of Trainer (ToT) Training for a new group of STEM/PPDM Trainers/Mentors, which equipped 25 key educational professionals and field practitioners with an in-depth understanding of STEM and PPDM concepts/approaches. A Multi-partite Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were agreed in details and signed by mid-October 2018 in Sarajevo Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, and Brcko-District. The MoU was signed between the Ministry/Department of Education, model schools, and Save the Children. The procurement and establishing of the STEM laboratories in 12 model schools that will facilitate STEM teaching and learning is underway, with the public and ceremonial openings of the first two in December 2018. The project partner "EXIT Center" from Banja Luka established additional 13 courses, totaling 26 courses, in December 2018. These courses were attended by 416 children by the end of December 2018. The SCNWB assessed the potentials of new Technological Parks (Academy/HUB 387, Sarajevo, and Intera TP, Mostar) during October/November and selected Intera TP from Mostar as a new partner. A more detailed partnership modality and collaboration will follow at the beginning of 2019. The ENABLE BIH project has made significant progress in supporting the development of an implementation plan for STEM introduction and integration in regular curricula and teaching processes. The project has also equipped key educational professionals and field practitioners with an in-depth understanding of STEM and PPDM concepts/approaches. The project's efforts to establish STEM laboratories in 12 model schools and to promote STEM education through various courses and activities have also been notable.