The "Filip Filipovic" Primary School: Into the
Modern Age
USAID Serbia & Montenegro - Community Revitalization
through Democratic Action (CRDA)
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| Katarina -
computer science teacher |
Katarina Krstic has been making ends meet for the past three
years, struggling with her income as a part-time computer
science teacher: "I started considering the possibility
of teaching at two schools in order to have one full-time
job with a full salary.” Thanks to a donation of computers
through the USAID-funded Community Revitalization through
Democratic Action (CRDA) program, not only does Katarina
have a full-time position at her local school, but she is
teaching her subject with modern technology. “Now that
we have new computers, the demands of all interested students
can be met,” explains Katarina. “Now that I have
enough classes to become a full-time employee, I don't have
to think about looking for a second job in another school,"
Computer science is an optional subject at the "Filip
Filipovic" primary school in Cacak, and pupils are asked
whether or not they wish to take the course at the beginning
of each school year. Despite being an elective subject, 90%
of the children at the school want to take the computer classes
Katarina teaches. The results of her class are evidenced
by Katarina’s students, who won first prize at an inter-municipality
computer science contest in February, 2002. Ivana Kurcubic,
a seventh-grade student and a member of the prize-winning
squad, is looking forward to this year’s competition: "Last
year was a huge success. Our teacher is now preparing us
for this year's contest, and we hope we will be as successful."
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| Classroom groups
consist of sixteen students with each pupil working at
his or her own computer. |
Despite the great demand for computer classes, the school
used to have outdated equipment and only four computers.
Three or four students were forced to share one machine.
The "Filip Filipovic" primary school received 19
computer workstations and other computer equipment under
the USAID’s CRDA program.
Schoolchildren enjoy much better learning conditions now.
Classroom groups consist of sixteen students with each pupil
working at his or her own computer. "Computer science
will be compulsory in high school,” says 12-year-old
Ivana. “Building a foundation now will help us advance
later on."
The students are just a part of the 1000 citizens in the
Cacak area who will benefit directly from the newly equipped
computer classroom. As an educator, Katarina sees broader
opportunities, "Computer science is the science of the
modern age. There are students now who know more about computers
than some of their teachers. This is why we plan to train
all the teachers to use computers. We may also offer courses
for all interested community members. We'll wait and see
what happens."
The primary objective of CRDA is to support the ability
of citizens to take an active role in making decisions that
impact their local communities. Citizens recommend priorities
for community development at public meetings, identify potential
projects, and provide project proposals to ACDI/VOCA (one
of five CRDA implementing partners) through "Community
Boards" made up of members elected at these public meetings.
Community Boards are responsible for determining the priority-level
of proposals put forward by citizens, submitting proposals
for consideration of financing by USAID, and providing all
documentation necessary to implement projects.
Through January 2003, 68 community boards have been formed
through the CRDA Program in Central Serbia – resulting
in over 250 completed development projects. In the second
year of CRDA, 2500 new volunteers signed up to serve on working
groups or subcommittees that participate in the work of assessing
community needs, writing project proposals, negotiating community
contributions and organizing volunteer efforts leading to
the implementation of projects. CRDA projects have solved
problems throughout 15 municipalities in Central Serbia,
impacting over 1.7 million beneficiaries.
It Doesn't Rain in Our Classrooms Anymore
Twenty-three years ago, the "Filip Filipovic" primary
school was built with a flat roof – not an optimal
choice considering the heavy rain and snowfall in this region.
The roof began to leak 10 years ago.
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| Zoran -
school secretary and administrator |
Zoran Bojovic, secretary and administrator of the school,
recalls that the situation became worse day after day with
water coming through the damaged structure. Naturally, they
sought a solution: "We contacted the Ministry of Education
repeatedly and asked them to approve the funding necessary
to rebuild the roof. We never received that approval."
There are six classrooms and as many additional rooms on
the top floor of the building directly affected by leakage.
One of the classrooms was a complete disaster.
"When the CRDA Program appeared, we finally had our
chance to repair the roof. Through the 'Park' Community Board," describes
Bojovic, "we submitted a proposal for roof reconstruction – a
priority for this area of Cacak, Central Serbia. The funding
was approved."
With assistance amounting to $9,562 from USAID, the CRDA
community was able to arrange for the repair of the roof
and installation of hydro-insulation above the main building
and gymnasium.
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| Raško -
member of the school's Parents Association |
The results are excellent, according to Raško Rajicic,
a member of the school's Parents Association. “My son
attends the eighth grade. I was sad that in the 21st century
children were forced to study in a classroom where the roof
leaks, where their health was at risk in the winter. Now
that a proper environment has been re-established, everything
is different."
With this project completed, the school is continuing its
efforts to improve conditions for students. "After reconstruction
of the roof," says Secretary Bojovic, "we have
redecorated and repainted classrooms. We can now use them
throughout the entire year."
There is much more to be done in Cacak and throughout Serbia,
however, without the financial support, and most importantly,
the skills-transfer provided by U.S citizens, these changes
in attitudes and improvements in the quality of life might
never have been realized. The changes in attitudes and
behavior taking place signal a decisive break with the
past and movement towards a democratic future.
USAID in partnership with ACDI/VOCA has donated more than
$6,000,000 during the first year of the CRDA project to
communities in twelve Central Serbian municipalities. Local
communities – required by the program to contribute
approximately 25% of the resources needed to complete CRDA
projects – matched USAID donations in Central Serbia
with more than $3,000,000 worth of cash and in-kind contributions
during CRDA's first year.
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