​In 122 educational institutions throughout the Republic of Srpska, the implementation of the Programme for children in the year before entering school has begun. It will last until May 31. It includes 3,517 children who did not attend preschool institutions or some form of preschool upbringing and education. This significantly contributes to increasing the coverage of children in institutional preschool upbringing and education in the Republic of Srpska. It also includes all registered children who, by September, will be eligible for entering the first grade of primary school.

This year, the Programme will be implemented in 37 preschool institutions, 81 primary schools and 4 schools for children with developmental disabilities, and will include an additional 33% of children who did not attend preschool education Programme before entering school.

The Government of the Republika Srpska has provided about BAM 530 thousand for the implementation of this Programme, and as in previous years, this year too, graduated preschool teachers who are registered as unemployed persons at the Employment Institute of the Republika Srpska will be hired for the implementation of the Programme. In places where there are no unemployed preschool teachers, classroom teachers or graduated pedagogues will be employed. From 2011 to 2024 49,369 children attended the Programme, and the Government of the Republic of Srpska has allocated BAM 4,067,624.5 for its implementation.  

"This Programme is important for all children who did not attend preschool institutions or other forms of preschool programmes before entering school because, now, they will have the opportunity to additionally prepare for entering the first grade of primary school. Through the three-month Programme, the children will acquire additional knowledge that they will build on at school, they will be trained for independent and creative work, they will additionally develop a sense of responsibility and mutual tolerance and will learn the rules of behavior in a group. Currently, 45% of children aged 5 to school-age attend preschool institutions, and through this Programme, an additional 33% of children will be included, which ultimately means that 78% of children are included in preschool education in the Republic of Srpska in the year before entering school. In the coming years, we will continue to promote the Programme in the year before entering school, and we believe that parents will recognise the importance of preschool education and that they will use the opportunity to a greater extent and register their children for this Programme. It is important that we all contribute to increasing awareness of the fact that any knowledge acquired before entering primary school is important for the lifelong development of children and better student success during formal education," said Minister Željka Stojičić.