E-schools project to take Croatia’s public education system into the digital age

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This investment builds on a pilot project, that ran from 2015-2018, to develop ‘digitally mature’ schools in Croatia. The current initiative will ensure that all the country’s public schools have the network infrastructure and equipment for digital teaching and learning.In addition, educational content will be developed and teachers trained in its use. The beneficiary is the Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNET).The project will cover 1 166 primary and secondary schools in 2 273 locations. This does not include the 151 schools that were part of the pilot project, although these schools will benefit from investments not made during the pilot phase.Boosting connectivityThe work is funded by the ERDF and the ESF. During the ERDF component, the network infrastructure and local area networks will be installed. Each school will be connected to CARNET, data centres, other schools and the internet. CARNET’s regional hubs in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka and Split, and its county hubs will be upgraded.Schools will receive computers and other hardware. Each school will have one interactive classroom with a smart screen and tablet computers for pupils, and can select other equipment according to their needs. E-services at schools and government departments and agencies will be improved to ensure better administration.Three-pronged approachThe ESF part of the project aims to ensure that the infrastructure and equipment funded by the ERDF is used correctly. It will consist of three elements: education and ICT use; user management; and security. The first will include the development of at least 74 digital educational packages for subjects from the 5th grade of primary school to the 4th grade of high school.During user-management, teachers will get on-site help in using the equipment and software. A helpdesk will be set up, along with a virtual community for teachers. Several regional meetings will be organised.Lastly, to protect the system from cybersecurity threats, software and hardware will be put in place and educational activities conducted.Digital maturityIn a study conducted by CARNET and the University of Zagreb before the pilot project, Croatia’s schools were ranked on a scale from 1 to 5, according to their digital maturity.Only 17.8 % of Croatia’s public primary and secondary schools were classified as e-enabled (level 3 out of 5). The majority were on either level 1 or 2 – i.e. digitally unaware or digital beginners. Thanks to the pilot project, most of the participating schools have raised their digital maturity level by at least one level.Preparing children for the 21st centuryThis project will help bring Croatia’s education system into the digital era and prepare children for life and work in the 21st century. It will encourage the professional development of teachers and promote student-centred learning. It is hoped that e-Schools will improve children’s motivation to learn and to continue their education after high school.Finally, it is expected that the project will make the administration and management of schools more efficient and transparent and improve communication between schools, parents and the government.According to an economic analysis conducted by CARNET, the project will produce a ‘robust benefit’ for Croatia’s economy. Lessons learnt from the pilot project should ensure optimal use of the hardware and educational content.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “e-Schools: Development of the System of Digitally Mature Schools (Second Phase)” is EUR 177 144 267, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 111 429 430 through the “Competitiveness and Cohesion” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning by developing education and training infrastructure”.