SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO EDUCATION (SWAP)

The overall objective of the Technical Assistance (AT) project was to support the Government of Kosovo in improving the quality and efficiency of the provision of education and training services, especially pre-university education, in a lifelong learning and employability perspective, in line with the comprehensive approach (SWAp) to education, and in line with EU standards.

Main results:

Component 1: Capacity development of MEST, at central and municipal level: Detailed implementation plan for education strategies has been drafted and approved by MEST and stakeholders at local level; Communication systems have been developed and used systematically by the MEST Donor Unit.

Component 2: review of the Kosovo Curriculum Framework; A leading group of specialists for curriculum development of mest curriculum unit, Kosovo Curriculum Council /Council for Curricula, Texts and Evaluation (CCTA), higher education institutions have gained training and practical experience for reviewing the Kosovo Curriculum Framework and to make the various groups responsible for curriculum development include specific measures to address minority involvement in education.

Component 3: Teacher Training Development: The Teacher Competency Profile needed for teacher evaluation has been revised in accordance with good practices of EU member states; A system of credits in higher education with the aim of recognising the professional development of teachers is elaborated.

• Developing a higher education credit system similar to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) with the aim of recognising the professional development of teachers.
• Develop and implement a capacity development program (including institutional, organizational and human capacities) of mest training units and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
• Establish appropriate systems to support the Teacher Training program.

This AT was implemented by the Consortium led by Cambridge Education Ltd. The results provided by the project for each component involved were:

• Assisting MEST, at central and municipal level, in developing an estimated plan and time-frame of action to be used as an operational tool related to education sector strategies.
• Developing capacities of MEST units (central and municipal level), in order to carry out the MEST action plan, including strengthening recommendations for key areas.
• Mest assists with the creation of a curriculum, and provide support to the State Council in relation to the Kosovo Curriculum.
• Development and implementation of a capacity development program (including institutional, organizational and human capacities) of the MEST Curriculum Unit, members of the Curriculum Council and other key factors as needed.
• Organizing and supporting the process of reviewing and redesigning the Kosovo Curriculum Framework (KKK).
• Develop guidelines for the design and implementation of new curricula based on the NCC and, thereafter, its implementation.
• Assist mest to create a group of mentors/advisers/education, to provide a quality assurance system in the process of curriculum development.
• Review the existing Teacher Competency Profile based on the results of the consultation and provide support to MEST for finalizing the draft and its official approval.