EC approves over €150 million for digitalisation of Croatia’s education system

ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) – The European Commission on Wednesday approved an investment of more than €150 million from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund for the digitalisation of Croatia’s education system.

“The project e-Schools will roll out a comprehensive ICT infrastructure, provide state-of-the-art IT equipment, develop educational software and connect students and teachers in 1,166 public primary and secondary schools throughout the country,” the EC said on its website.

“This unique national network will improve conditions for teaching and learning and make the management of schools more efficient and transparent. At the same time, students and teachers will benefit from targeted training to upgrade their e-skills,” the EC added.

The project is worth more than €177 million, and over €150 million are European funds.

“Thanks to EU Cohesion policy, Croatia’s education system will be able to fully reap the benefits of the digital era and better prepare young people for their professional future. This project also contributes to boosting the resilience of the sector during the coronavirus pandemic,” Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said.

“The project builds on a successful pilot phase, which has already helped over 150 Croatian schools to switch to a new level of education,” the EC said.

In the project, every school will be connected to the CARNET national network, data centres and other schools.

CARNET’s regional hubs in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka and Split, as well as county hubs, will be upgraded.

Schools will get computers, and every school will have an interactive classroom with an interactive display and tablets for students and other equipment according to their needs.