To prepare our children for the future, we need innovation
This is what the organizers of the “21st Century Education” Conference from NEA GERMANIKA Language Centre believe.
On June 9, for the first time in the town of Kardzhali, an educational conference will be held with a focus on innovations in teaching and learning. It will bring together principals, teachers, students and parents with representatives of local and central government, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and local businesses, who will all discuss 21st-century education. On this occasion, we spoke with the main initiators and organizers of the event – NEA GERMANIKA Language Centre, represented by its manager, Svetla Zhelyazkova, and Stanimira Paskova, Head Teacher at the Centre.
– Why is this conference needed? What do you aim to achieve by holding it?
Svetla Zhelyazkova:
– Similar conferences have already successfully established themselves as a model for effective communication between educational experts and participants. Unfortunately, however, they are held in large cities such as Sofia and Plovdiv, not in the provinces. And it is precisely there that they are badly needed. We need such a forum to exchange experience and ideas, to seek solutions to common problems together, to receive and provide feedback from and to all stakeholders in our educational system. Last but not least, to create a network of useful contacts and lay the foundations for new constructive partnerships between all of us. It is no coincidence that the motto of the Conference is: “Together we can achieve more.” Education is a priority for everyone and this is not something new, it has always been the case, because without good education there is no good economy, no future.
Stanimira Paskova:
– The “21st Century Education” Conference is a first step and the beginning of a qualitatively new dialogue between the main participants in the educational process. We are bringing together all stakeholders in one place, not only teachers and principals from the entire municipality, but also the direct beneficiaries of educational services – students and parents, together with the responsible institutions, other organizations working to provide quality education, and representatives of local businesses as key employers. We want to put on the agenda the urgent need to provide quality education for all children in accordance with world standards for acquiring the skills and competencies of the 21st century.
– What does quality education mean?
Svetla Zhelyazkova:
In line with the quality education criteria of the international PISA study, this means above all highly developed functional literacy and the practical orientation of knowledge and skills. In other words, students should not memorize and reproduce information, but use and apply it effectively to solve problems. To this end, they must have developed critical thinking, be able to filter facts, create new knowledge, new products, be creative and enterprising, be creators, not just users.
Stanimira Paskova:
-Quality education takes into account the individual characteristics and interests of each child and purposefully develops their abilities and talents in order to empower them and turn them into leaders of their own lives, who know what they want and how to achieve it. Quality education answers the question: “Why do I need to learn this?”, and has a direct connection with the needs of real life, with the future professional realization of the student.-
– And what is 21st century education? From whom should we take the model?
Svetla Zhelyazkova:
-The new Education Act is in line with the requirements for the skills and competencies of the 21st century. We have taken the best from other countries. For example, I will mention the introduction of dual education, which is based on the German and Scandinavian model and establishes a direct link between school and the workplace. Another very positive change is the creation of innovative schools. It is gratifying that there are already such schools in the municipality of Kardzhali and the Conference is a wonderful opportunity for them to present themselves and to be promoted.
Stanimira Paskova:
-Yes, one of the main goals is to share successful and innovative practices and to raise the image of the teaching profession before the general public, by opening the doors of our classrooms and showing what we do. This is an established practice in our center and we proactively seek feedback from our students and parents through surveys, interactive parent meetings, through online communication channels such as Facebook and our Moodle platform. We develop innovations and we want to share them and find like-minded people.
– And are the teachers motivated? And the students?
Svetla Zhelyazkova:
– I believe that teachers are motivated when they receive the necessary support, which is why we regularly organize free trainings at the Centre for our teachers on applying interactive teaching methods and integrating technology. We also support them by providing quality resources, observing classes and joint planning, as well as mentoring young teachers by more experienced colleagues. Above all, we actively encourage cooperation and teamwork not only among teachers, but also among students, because this is one of the most important skills of the 21st century.
Stanimira Paskova:
-We believe that students’ motivation depends most of all on teachers and parents. If they help each other, success is guaranteed. A good teacher is also a good student, with an open mind; they are a facilitator and moderator of learning and make it fun and interesting for children. They empower their students and give them meaningful roles, which is why at our Conference all roles will be performed by the students – they will be the hosts.
– Who can participate in the Conference?
Svetla Zhelyazkova:
-We invite absolutely all directors and teachers from the municipality to attend and/or share their successes with us, as well as representatives of the Public Councils and school boards. We have also invited local business leaders, because their support and opinion are particularly valuable. The participation of parents and students is of paramount importance, as they are at the centre of our common interest. We also invite the citizens of the municipality to attend the Education Fair organized by us during the Conference.
