OSCE Mission to Serbia, Serbian Institute for Improvement of Education present manuals for civic education teachers
BELGRADE, 11 December 2019 – Some 50 teachers, university professors and members of civil society participated at the presentation of civics education manuals for teachers.
The manuals provide guidelines to civic education teachers who are facing challenges when teaching the new civics programme to elementary and high school students. Civics education strives to help young people acquire competences, such as analytical and critical thinking, to effectively participate in public life and live peacefully together in culturally diverse democratic societies.
“Well functioning institutions governed by a well-harmonized set of rules enforced by a fair and equitable justice system, are the main foundation of democracy,” said the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Joseph Mellott. “However, the culture of democracy must be taught and fostered, as it is reinforced through the actions and behavior of its citizens. Appropriate educational input and practices can boost the democratic engagement of citizens, and reduce intolerance and prejudice.”
The Head of the Institute for Improvement of Education Zlatko Grusanovic said: “The new curricula for civics education, oriented towards achieving outcomes and developing competences, introduce new challenges for teachers and students. That is why the manuals for teachers, prepared by the Institute with the OSCE Mission’s support, are a significant tool for strengthening the knowledge in this field. This is valuable not only for individuals, but also for society as a whole, as students become aware of their rights and responsibilities, and develop increased sensitivity to the needs of others and of the society, and become ready to actively participate in the community taking into account democratic values.”
The event builds upon the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s efforts to raise knowledge and awareness of rule of the law culture among the youngest citizens and to prepare them for active participation in public life.
The subject of civics education was first introduced in 2001–2002 as an elective in all grades, from the first grade of primary school to the fourth grade of high school.