Preschool for All (implemented in 2015-2016)

In general, the preschool enrolment rate in Montenegro needed to be improved as only one half of children 3-6 years old were enrolled, while only 40 per cent actually attended preschool before the campaign.

Moreover, on the north of Montenegro, the region where child poverty is the greatest, the preschool enrolment rates are the lowest. For example, ten times less children go to preschool in Rozaje than in Budva. At the same time, existing preschools in the north have capacities to enroll new children.

For these reasons, on 31 March 2015, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education launched the campaign Preschool for All aimed at increasing the preschool enrolment rates in five municipalities with the lowest attendance in Montenegro: Bijelo Polje, Rozaje, Berane, Plav and Adrijevica. The campaign continued in 2016 in another 6 municipalities with the lowest preschool enrollment rates in the north: Pljevlja, Žabljak, Šavnik, Plužine, Mojkovac and Kolašin.

Together with the campaign partners – Faculty for Preschool Education, Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Art School for Music and Ballet “Vasa Pavic“, NGO “Pedagogical Centre“, municipalities and local preschools, through numerous artistic and educational events for parents and preschool children, preschool enrollment rates significantly increased in the north of Montenegro.

The campaign is part of a broader initiative of Montenegro, supported by UNICEF, which aims to achieve universal preschool coverage of children aged 3-6 by 2020.