Lea Brezar and Renata Brekalo: It is important for us that our students learn something about entrepreneurship

Serial entrepreneur and director of the marketing agency Dhar media, Lea Brezar, has teamed up with the founder and director of the Bambi Kindergarten, Renata Brekalo, to establish the private high school Epoha, located in Podsused, Zagreb, which will open its doors for the first time this autumn, despite the earthquake and the situation with COVID-19. We spoke with them about the shortcomings of the education system and found out whether they will teach entrepreneurship and what interest their venture has generated.

How did you come to establish a private language high school?

Lea: – For years, there has been a desire to start a Waldorf high school, dating back to the time when we both sat on the school board of the Waldorf School in Zagreb. There was also a need to enable children, including our own, to continue their education according to this method as it prepares them for life.
Renata: – Very quickly, the decision came that we would embark on this venture, and many years ago we began looking for adequate space.

What key changes are necessary in public education?

Lea: – An individualized approach to the education of each child, which means an emphasis on the educational aspect as well. Developing creativity in lesson planning and adapting the system in which the freedom of teaching methods surpasses strict forms. Educating teachers according to modern trends in the world and adapting the education system to the labor market.
Renata: – The government should have long ago ensured that all schools operate only in the first shift so that the social and humane aspects of education could change. The role of the teacher is to make the student aware of their strengths and help them strengthen their weaknesses.

In a Waldorf school, teaching is conducted in epochs, which is how the school got its name. One topic is covered for six weeks. What advantages does this principle of work bring when one day your student finds themselves in the workplace?

Lea: – The advantages of such an approach lie in the fact that the child’s focus is on one subject, rather than on seven subjects a day. Most projects in life we get the opportunity to work on precisely in epochs; we immerse ourselves in them, dedicate ourselves to them, and the outcomes are much better. In teaching, this means that it is easier to remember, learning occurs through experience as it is processed longer, thus it remains remembered.
Renata: – Epochal work is conducted in certain subjects at agreed intervals; it is designed as an advantage so that the student can dive into the subject more quickly and master the material more easily.

Steiner’s worldview and the Waldorf approach have their critics, and the public education system is quite inflexible. What potential obstacles might your students encounter in their further education? How, for example, can you ensure that students pass the state graduation exam?

Lea: – Every teacher can conduct their subject in the most creative way possible if they are brave enough to try. The Waldorf methodology requires that courage, innovation, and a different approach, which does not mean that children do not learn enough. It simply means that a path is found in teaching to engage each individual so that the child captures the knowledge that will remain with them. We currently do not see obstacles in the system because, like any school, we must respect the National Curriculum, and children must pass the graduation exam. Our advantage is that the Waldorf methodology is effective in its approach to learning and simultaneously reduces stress from it.
Renata: – Epoha is a language high school that will adhere to the curriculum prescribed by the Ministry. We will implement that program and ensure that children master everything they need to be able to take the state graduation exam. Students will not lack knowledge; only an individualized approach will be applied. In addition, we will offer optional artistic content that will have a relaxing effect.

It has been shown that opening primary school institutions that nurture Waldorf pedagogy is not financially the most profitable. The state symbolically finances alternative schools. What is your financing model?

Lea: – The management of the school’s finances depends on the business model of that institution. If approached from an entrepreneurial perspective, as private schools are, if the story about alternative pedagogies is presented correctly, supporters and like-minded parents who recognize what alternative education offers that state education does not will be found. Today, most parents are aware that investing in education is the best investment in a child and that it is becoming increasingly necessary, so we are not worried about the lack of state funding and it is not our focus. Therefore, we believe that our business plan will be realized.
Renata: – People who enter with the idea of engaging in education do not primarily do so for financial reasons, but out of a desire to offer something better to society.

What is the investment required to set up a school? How many employees will you have? Was it a problem to find adequate staff? How many students will you enroll?

Lea: – The biggest investment is adequately equipping the space, for which we have spent the largest part of the budget. Finding staff is the second item, but given that our school is quite interesting due to its specific approach, we did not have problems finding it. We anticipate having about 14 teachers, but that depends on the number of subjects taught. This generation will enroll two first grades, or 50 students.
Renata: – People usually reach out themselves because they want change and want to be part of our story. Enrollment in the school has not yet started; we will see in two months how many students will apply, and based on that, we will organize the class or classes.

What interest has the project generated?

Lea: – We are very happy with the interest and response from staff and parents for the school. Last year was particularly specific regarding education, and we brought a refreshment to the ‘educational scene’. Parents are reaching out to us with enthusiasm and support, as well as announcements for enrolling their children, which makes us very happy.

How much tuition do parents pay at your school, and is there any mechanism or support from the state that would allow children in less favorable positions to afford such education?

Lea: – Unfortunately, the state does not finance private schools, so I do not know about the financing model for education in private institutions. This could potentially be interesting for companies that might find it appealing to invest in socially responsible business. We would love for this model to develop and for companies to support young people who, for any reason, are unable to access alternative education.
Renata: – Precisely because the state does not support private high schools, the tuition price is what it is, between 35,000 and 40,000 kuna per year. A parent who wants to provide their child with a different education needs to think long-term and plan their finances in advance. Programs for such investments exist, but they are not as developed here as in other Western countries.

How will the dharmic management approach be applied in your high school?

Lea: – We are currently preparing training for our professional staff, to whom we will initially present the dharmic management system and its fundamental principles. Following them is very important for us, and it is important that they are received as such. Given that our teachers are open-minded and their job is their calling, everyone is aware that investing in oneself and working on oneself comes in that package.

As one of the strongest values of your high school, experiential learning and encouraging what children need stand out. What do they need? How much of your curriculum is dedicated to entrepreneurship?

Lea: – Children need experiential learning because it prepares them for life. The collaboration we have planned with the entrepreneurial sector will be visible in activities in the optional subject, working in the cooperative, and preparing school newspapers. Young people must gain experience in the real sector, and we are obliged to arrange that meeting for them and enable them to feel what sustainable business means, for example, the model under which our cooperative will operate.
Renata: – Experiential learning means that methods will be applied that will encourage students to want to learn, that what they learn is useful to them, and that subjects that relax will alternate with those that are important for the graduation exam. The emphasis is on accepting and noticing the individual and their strengths and weaknesses. It is important to us that students also learn something about entrepreneurship, which will initially be offered to them in the form of lectures they can sign up for if they are interested.

Are you ready for the negative impact of a potential economic crisis?

Lea: – We are ready. The school has enough capital to bridge that period, and we believe it will not last long and that the value of education in the eyes of parents will still be a priority.
Renata: – No one can be prepared for the negative impact of a potential economic crisis because we do not know how it will develop and with what intensity. We can only do our best every day for the survival of the company and the people who work in it. Every day of survival is a victory.

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