State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matić, has said that the improvement of education contributed by the information and communication technology, is the key to a successful formation of younger generations in line with the requirements of the contemporary world.

At the ceremony held in the Serbian Parliament regarding the awards of diplomas to teachers awarded in the competition of “Digital Class”, the State Secretary has thanked to all the participants of the competition, pointing out their pioneer role in the implementation of the modern curriculum.

“Teachers and Ministry of Education are our strategic partner in raising the level of digital literacy in children. We expect this programme to be jointly implemented next year at a higher level, when we will hopefully have information science as a mandatory subject in primary schools”, Ms Matić said.

She has reminded that the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, has also implemented other programmes, such as the IT caravan in 15 Serbian cities, for five thousand primary school children, with the programme of education on advantages and dangers of new technologies, to be realised this school year as well.

“We have recognised the need to help the development of infrastructure in the education system, why we have launched the project of introduction of Wi-Fi in all Serbian schools. The total number of 1800 primary and secondary schools will get free and safe internet, active protection and online support by spring 2017, with the possibility to use international services of electronic education in the upcoming three years”, Ms Matić has said.

The teachers were greeted by the Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, who pointed out the significance of this excellent and multiple cooperation with the Ministry competent for information society, in particular in programmes for raising the digital competences of teachers.

In the competition “Digital Class”, this year, 51 works were awarded: in the field of maths, computer and information and technical science; in the field of social science, arts and sports; in the field of natural sciences. The award-winning competition of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, held for the fifth time so far, is intended for all subject and class teachers of primary schools founded by the Republic of Serbia, and all awarded works shall be published in the online collection of that Ministry.