Implementing the signed Memorandum on cooperation and implementation of the three-year project “Increasing the reading literacy of elementary school students in the Zenica-Doboj Canton”, between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, the Pedagogical Institute of Zenica and the “Rotary Club of Zenica” from December 2020, planned joint activities were launched with the aim that, with the help of elementary school teachers, students return to reading books, enrich their vocabulary and learn to think critically about literary works read.
During the three-year project, expert advisers in the field of education from the Zenica Pedagogical Institute realized practical workshops planned for 115 classroom teachers, teachers of B/H/S language and literature and Croatian language and literature from 58 elementary schools in this canton, including schools from the municipalities of Usora and Zepce. The workshops were focused on new methodologies and strategies for learning and reading to improve reading literacy with the ultimate goal of developing life skills related to communication skills and emphasized critical thinking.
By the end of the project in May 2023, the summarized results show that nine different activities were realized in each school, in which about 32,795 students participated, and in addition to students and teachers, distinguished writers, parents, and librarians also participated as guests. As a special contribution to this project, the “Rotary Club Zenica” donated a total of 14,730 reading works to school libraries based on the direct selection of professional assets of primary schools. In front of the Zenica Pedagogical Institute, the role of project coordinators and trainers was played by expert advisers in the field of education: Sanja Hadzihajdic, Ramajana Kukavica, Naira Jusufovic and Aldiana Nuhanovic.
