In September, pre-university education schools across the country will implement the “After School” program, which will combine support in lessons with educational, creative, and entertaining activities.
Beyond the regular school schedule, the program aims to provide children with a safe and friendly environment where they can develop their skills, collaborate with each other, and discover new talents and interests.
Specifically, during the program, after eating food and doing homework, students will engage in sports activities and group games such as drawing, painting and creative works, works with recyclable materials and practical activities, readings, recitations and literary activities, music, songs and cultural activities, activities in the field of ICT and technology, experiments and practical activities in science, activities for the environment and care for nature, as well as group work, educational games and activities that develop communication and cooperation.
Last year, this program was implemented in 47 pilot schools, 45 in Tirana and 2 in Kamza, while this new school year it will be extended throughout the country.
Deputy Minister of Education, Herida Duro, in an interview with ATSH, emphasized that the “After School” program will be implemented at the national level, extending to over 400 public pre-university education institutions. The program now has the full legal and organizational basis for implementation throughout the country.
“The “After School” program is organized and structured in activities that take place outside of mandatory school hours and aims to strengthen learning and the comprehensive development of educational, social, sports, cultural and creative skills of students. It will be extended in a structured manner throughout the pre-university system, becoming a sustainable model that serves not only children, but also the family and the community as a whole”, emphasized Duro.
According to her, this program aims to address the existing fragmentation of the current programs Community Center School, Homework, Art, Craft, Sports, etc. through the creation of a clear framework for the development of the “After School” program.
Meanwhile, the principal of the “Vaçe Zela” school in Tirana, Enkeleda Gorezi, told ATSH that “this program is a very good opportunity for students, as it offers them not only support in terms of teaching, but also spaces where they can express themselves, collaborate and develop their skills.”
“Our school was part of this program during the last school year. During the program, students made good use of their time after school by creating opportunities for the development of students’ skills, talents and interests through sports, creative, cultural, practical and technological activities,” she said.
Gorezi emphasized that “even during the new school year, during the program, students will remain in the school premises for the time specified in the schedule, where grades 1, 2, 3, which finish school at 11:30, will remain until 2:00 PM, grades 4-5 will remain until 3:00 PM, while grades 6-9 will remain in school for the “After School” program until 3:00 PM.”
Students are included during the program based on their interests and desire to participate in the activities offered according to different age groups.
Director Gorezi says that “the program was positively received by parents. They appreciated the fact that children had the opportunity to stay in a safe and supervised environment after school, engaging in useful activities. Parents expressed particular interest in the sports, creative and practical activities.”
According to her, communication with parents was considered important for the progress of the program. Their suggestions and observations helped to identify students’ interests and improve the organization of activities.
The program aims to create a safe and enriching environment for children, providing families and the community with a sustainable model of educational and developmental activities after school hours.