Foundation
Step by Step supports the development of open society implementing
activities in the sphere of education, art, culture, publishing
as well as human (children’s) rights and civil society.
Foundation
leads, coordinates, participates and directly implements activities
that encourage innovations, prosperity and development of kindergartens
and primary schools in R. Macedonia.
According to mission, the context
in which education in Macedonia exists and cooperation with other
governmental and non-governmental organizations, Foundation Step
by Step has started implementation of programs in the system of
pre- school education, primary schools and into other educational
and cultural institutions.
FOUNDER
Founder of the Foundation for
Educational and Cultural Initiatives “Step by Step” is Foundation Open
Society Institute-Macedonia. Foundation “Step by Step” is established
with the aim continuation of educational program “Step by Step” that
has started with its implementation in 1994, as regional program of
Open Society Institute –New York and George Town University from Washington
D.C. In period from 1994 (begging) to 1999 (end) program operated out
of Open Society Institute Macedonia. Till the end of 1999 Open Society
Institute Macedonia and Open Society Institute New York provided about
7 000 000$.
OBJECTIVES
Foundation
Step by Step aims to achieve the following objectives:
Promoting child centered educational initiatives;
Supporting democratic process in education of children, youth and adult;
Encouraging emotional, social, cognitive, physical development, creativity
of children and youth no matter their social or ethnic background;
Advocating support and help for the children with special needs, children
in trouble and poor children;
Enhancing communication and cooperation among families, kindergartens and
primary schools;
Continuation of idea for ongoing training for educational and teaching-
kindergartens, primary schools and Teacher Colleges;
Encouraging local community to enhance efforts for whole child development;
Supporting publishing teachers’ manuals for child centered methodology
and children’s literature (books, picture books);
Providing children opportunities for creative expression using different
art media;
Promoting and encouraging unique educational, cultural and art values of
our country;
Raising public awareness for different children’s issues and opportunities
for whole child development;
Developing partnership between educational and cultural institutions;
Developing partnership with other NGO’s that deal with similar issues and
with other educational institutions which provide children
and youth quality education;
Strengthening
international communication and cooperation with foreign organizations
through membership in the International Step by Step Association
with aim providing opportunities for implementation project
on international level.
MISSION
The mission of Foundation for
Educational and Cultural Initiatives “Step by Step” is to encourage
the whole community to develop, implement and accomplished programs
that will assist children in achieving their full potentials by
providing equal access to high quality education, improving of
education in Macedonia through democratization of the teaching
process, developing the concept of ongoing training and providing
technical assistance to teachers, pedagogues, psychologist, school
directors and parents, and further cooperation with the competent
ministries and Pedagogical institutes.
BEGGININGS
Program
Step by Step has started implementation of child-centered preschool
methodology in 1994 in 10 kindergartens in R. Macedonia.
The
idea for implementation of this project has appeared as a result
of quick changes that are happening in our country and all over
the world. Those changes impose us to help children to become
self-propelled learners, to formulate and acquire knowledge, attitudes
and skills necessary for successful facing with challenges in
the 20th.and
21st. Century. Model of educational program and educational
and teaching methods of Step by Step program are solid base for
educational-teaching program in one democratic society.
Steps
by Step educational-teaching methodologies contain educational
techniques and methods of work that are tailored according to
children’s development and are adapted in the country where are
implemented. This method provides respecting and preserving educational
tradition and educational standards in the country where the methodology
is implemented. The program has as starting point national curriculum
of the country.
Step
by Step child-centered educational and teaching methodology is
based on the following aims:
Ongoing training and technical support for the implementations.
Democratic
approaches in work with children that offer making choices, simulative
learning environment, different didactical materials and toys
in activity centers and collaboration with parents are the highlights
of the program that in the past period were accepted and adopted
by educational and teaching staff, parents and of course children.
Results from evaluations and assessments of children’s performances
that are conducted after each school year prove that children
who are involved in implementation of child centered Step by Step
program achieve better results in teaching and learning process
Current activities and other projects
Foundation
Step by Step has excellent cooperation and collaboration with
ministries responsible for children and youth’s issues and with
the Bureau for Developing Education in Macedonia. It also has
established ongoing collaboration and communication with kindergartens
and primary schools where current activities for implementing Step by Step Child centered
programs are realized.
FOSIM
and The King Baudouin Foundation financially support project
“Social inclusion”. In the framework of this project Foundation
Step by Step has already established permanent relationships
and partnership with 10 Macedonian NGO’s.
The
Foundation for Cultural and Educational Initiatives Macedonia
“Step by Step” (FECIM step by Step) in partnership with Foundation
Open Society Institute Macedonia (FOSIM) and 4 Local Roma NGOs:
“Dendo Vas”, “Drom”, “KHAM”, “Help for poor and handicapped”
propose to implement the project “Roma
Education Initiative Macedonia” (REMIK) as join
initiative. The main goal of Roma Education Initiatives is the
establishment of the conditions necessary to enable Roma children
age 0-18 to be successful pupils in equal terms with their peers
through positive interventions.
