Murganić Announces Hiring of Educators in Kindergartens and Other Programs to Assist Young Families

The Minister for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Nada Murganić, emphasized on Wednesday that her Ministry is aware of the capacity issues and the shortage of educators in kindergartens, which they will attempt to address through material and financial assistance to young families and strengthening the position of kindergartens, regardless of the fact that they fall under the jurisdiction of local self-government units.

The Minister stated during the presentation of the study “Analysis of Accessibility, Quality, Capacity and Financing of the Early and Preschool Education System in Croatia” that they are proceeding in parallel with projects for financial and material assistance in the adaptation, repurposing, or construction of kindergartens.

“The results will show where we have opportunities for direction and improvement, as these are beginnings, but very significant,” noted Murganić.

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Afternoon Shifts or Other Programs

She considers it a significant step that for the first time the state is financially assisting local self-government units in the construction and repurposing or adaptation of kindergartens, as well as in investing in employment. Regarding the shortage of about 500 educators who should work from September in afternoon shifts in kindergartens, she said that there are different situations in different areas.

“Where there are opportunities to employ additional staff, this will be covered by our project ‘Kindergartens for a Harmonious Life’, and in areas where there are currently no opportunities for hiring additional educators, we will enable some other programs,” she stated.

“This Government has recognized the importance of comprehensive early and preschool educational programs for children, and we immediately directed family policy towards material and financial assistance for young families, regardless of the fact that they fall under the jurisdiction of local self-government units,” said the Minister.

Young scientists have already directed us in initial contacts that these are well-detected measures, and their studies have confirmed this, emphasizes Murganić.

“They show that we are on the right track and that we have a quality document, which will serve as a basis for monitoring these measures,” said the Minister, adding that the study will be a guide for introducing other measures so that every child is included in early and preschool programs, and parents will be facilitated in financing and organizing their lives.

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The study “Analysis of Accessibility, Quality, Capacity and Financing of the Early and Preschool Education System in Croatia” analyzes and recommends measures to increase the level of children’s participation in early and preschool education programs, as well as to improve material and pedagogical working conditions, as well as the availability and quality of programs intended for children and parents.

And Even Without a State Secretary, the Ministry Functions

To journalists who were interested in when the name of the new state secretary for demography would be announced, Minister Murganić said that the Demographic Administration is functioning, and that the Ministry has external collaborators, advisors, and demographers.

– The Demographic Administration is functioning, and we also have external collaborators and advisors and demographers, said Murganić, adding that the entire Administration is very engaged in its work. The Demographic Administration does not function alone; it is part of a broad ministry system, which has the support and cooperation of other employed officials, state secretaries, and the minister, she asserted.