At The "Kosta Racin" school in Brvenica today marked the beginning of the project "21st Century Schools - Phase 2", a partnership initiative aimed at developing digital skills, critical thinking, practical learning and the application of modern technologies in the educational process.
The project is being implemented in partnership between the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the British Council and Makedonski Telekom, with joint support of over 350,000 euros. Project activities will be implemented in the period from May 2026 to July 2027.
This phase will cover 100 schools across the country, more than 20,000 students aged 9 to 10, as well as around 1,000 primary school teachers. Teachers will be trained in the use of micro:bit devices and modern digital tools in teaching, while students will develop knowledge and skills in programming, cybersecurity, critical thinking, problem solving and basic concepts of artificial intelligence.
The Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, stressed that the project is an important step towards a true digital transformation in education, through which technology becomes a tool for learning, creating and developing self-confidence among students.
"The project will be intended for the whole of Macedonia, covering a total of 100 schools and more than a thousand teachers who will undergo training where they will acquire skills on how to use these micro:bit devices in their teaching. We are talking about fourth and fifth grades, and the devices will be used in all subjects. Projects with micro:bit devices will be possible in all subjects, through which students will learn the basics of programming and the basics of cyber security. I expect from the materials we will produce, including manuals, that teachers in the upper grades will also use the micro:bit devices and work on real projects," said Andonovski.
The goal is for students to not only be users of technology, but to learn how to create, think logically, solve problems and work with modern digital tools.
As part of the partnership, Makedonski Telekom will additionally equip five schools across Macedonia with computer equipment. The first donation of computers was made at the “Kosta Racin” school in Brvenica, where the project kick-off event was held.
The project also includes online consultations, an online micro course, and two Coding Challenge events, through which students will be able to present their ideas, creativity, and acquired knowledge.
“21st Century Schools – Phase 2” contributes to the modernization of education and the preparation of young people for the digital future. The program will help students acquire skills that are increasingly in demand in the future labour market, including analytical thinking, creativity, technological literacy, and innovation.
