STUDENTS OF “DRUGA GIMNAZIJA” HIGH SCHOOL IN SARAJEVO TURN ELECTRONIC WASTE INTO INNOVATION

Sarajevo, 7. october 2025: With a demonstration of “Tinkering with E-waste” exercises, an innovative approach to learning was promoted today at the Secondary School “Druga Gimnazija” Sarajevo, enabling students to prepare for the future by solving real-world problems.

During the visit to the school, representatives of Nelt Group, UNICEF, and educational institutions of Sarajevo Canton had the opportunity to see how the IT Girls Club students give new meaning to old electronics, transforming them into functional and creative products. This activity is part of an expanded teaching practice developed through the joint initiative “Tinkering with E-Waste”.

The education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces numerous challenges, one of the most significant being the digital divide. On average, 19.9 students in Bosnia and Herzegovina share one computer device, compared to 1.2 students per device in OECD countries. A recent international assessment (ICILS, 2023) showed that only 2% of students in Bosnia and Herzegovina reach the highest level of computer and information literacy, while as many as 37% of 14-year-olds do not reach even the basic level.

Recognizing these challenges, UNICEF, with the support of Nelt Group, launched the “Tinkering with E-Waste” initiative to integrate practical STEM learning into teaching through existing IT Girls Clubs. The aim is for students to explore innovation, programming, and sustainability principles through the reuse of obsolete electronics.

“For us, the partnership with UNICEF represents a strategic and long-term investment in the future of our country. I am glad that these students, thanks to the knowledge and skills they have gained, will be prepared for a digitized and technologically advanced economy, becoming more competitive in the labour market. I am pleased that through such collaboration we can also share our values with the wider community,” said Suzana Sikimić, Executive Director of Nelt Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A total of 25 schools in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District participated in mapping electronic waste, identifying existing devices and opportunities for their reuse. Based on these findings, UNICEF and Nelt expanded the IT Girls manuals for primary and secondary schools with 10 new practical exercises focusing on e-waste and STEM learning. Earlier this year, 35 teachers were trained to implement the new content.

“Our ‘Tinkering with E-Waste’ initiative is much more than a programme about technology. It brings together key priorities: building human capital through modern skills, promoting sustainable development (SDGs) through recycling of electronic waste, and strengthening equity by giving every child – especially girls – the opportunity to be a creator, not just a user of technology. This is a concrete step towards transforming education and building a more resilient, competitive, and greener society for all children in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Tinkering with E-Waste” provides students with practical STEM skills, promotes sustainability and responsible waste management, and empowers them to thrive in the digital economy.