Under the slogan “Educated Serbia, Successful Serbia” and under the patronage of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia, the 53rd Education and Teaching Tools Fair was officially opened on October 20th at the Belgrade Fair, in Hall 2C.
This long-standing event began a day earlier, but in response to the demands and needs of the public and media, as the major International Belgrade Book Fair is being held simultaneously, the official opening ceremony was held a day later.
The ceremony was graced by performances from the choir and instrumentalists of the “Vatroslav Lisinski” music school“.
While opening the fair, the Serbian Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Slavica Đukić Dejanović, reminded why education is one of the top priorities of modern times and the foundation upon which the development of every society depends, offering the key to progress in all areas of life.
“Education represents one of the most significant segments of society, and quality education is essential for the progress of every individual as well as the state. The goal of the state, which it actively pursues, is for each individual to receive a comprehensive education and develop throughout their entire life.
All students in Serbia are given the opportunity to show their knowledge not only in school but also in competitions with their peers from the same generation, from the school level to the international stage. We are proud of the achievements of our students, who, in international competitions and academic contests, in strong and widespread competition, win awards and earn medals. Just last year, they won more than a hundred medals. Such success would not be possible without the exceptional dedication of their teachers”.
After establishing the “Generation Competitors” platform, we continue the process of digitalization and support for students. We are equipping schools with digital devices, 265 smart boards have been distributed to schools, and primary and secondary schools have received 2,125 new workstations for computer classrooms. The goal is for students to become familiar with information technology during their education, but also with the heritage, culture, and traditions of their country.
For this reason, I believe that the national reader will hold a special place in the Serbian educational system. The distribution of these readers is currently underway, which should contribute to familiarizing students with the culture, history, and heritage of our country while promoting national identity.
When it comes to investments in infrastructure projects, the construction and equipping of facilities for preschool institutions is in progress as part of the “Inclusive Preschool Education” project that is being implemented with a loan from the World Bank. This will provide 11,000 places throughout Serbia. To date, 11 facilities have been completed and handed over for use, while work is ongoing in 12 other facilities.
During these fair days, we will try to present educational institutions and individuals from all over Serbia under the slogan “Win Knowledge,” emphasizing that their success comes from their own knowledge.
At the Ministry of Education’s stand, we will present preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools, music and arts schools, and student dormitories. We want them to demonstrate how they operate, achieve good results, and foster a democratic spirit and examples of best practices within their communities. A series of training sessions and discussions are planned for students, as well as their parents and teachers. Also, a rich artistic and musical program will be an integral part of this agenda.“
Minister Đukić Dejanović particularly invited visitors to the traditional “School Day” on Thursday, October 24, which is intended for organized visits from pupils, teachers, school librarians, students, and professors.
The exhibition segment of the event will be supported by the accompanying program taking place in the Accompanying Program Room of Hall 2C. In addition to expert lectures, visitors will have the opportunity to attend workshops, promotions, and presentations intended for general public. Daily programs will be held at the Ministry of Education’s stand, and also at other exhibitors’ stands.
Working hours of the 53rd Education and Teaching Tools Fair (and the 67th International Belgrade Book Fair) are from 10 AM to 8 PM.
