Expert session: "Practices of implementing development strategies in general secondary education institutions: experience in democratic governance and social partnership"

From February 18 to 20, Kyiv hosted the expert session "Practices of implementing development strategies in general secondary education institutions: experience in democratic governance and social partnership." Educators, school principals, mentors, and teams from territorial communities participating in the DECIDE project from Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, and Poltava oblasts gathered to share experiences, develop new ideas, and establish partnerships for joint educational initiatives.

The session program included discussions with DECIDE project experts on:

– establishing effective operations of school boards of trustees;

– efficient resource mobilization and budget management for the development of general secondary education institutions;

– organizing the monitoring and evaluation process for implementing school development strategies;

– building effective strategies for engaging stakeholders at various levels in school development.

For the past two academic years, 13 general secondary education institutions from territorial communities participating in the DECIDE project have been working on implementing their development strategies. They are currently in the phase of execution and monitoring.

This process was mentored by academic and pedagogical staff from professional development institutions in the partner regions of the DECIDE project.

Notably, all school development strategies have been designed using the "Active Democracy Schools" (ADS) methodology. This approach is guided by key principles, including:

– upholding human rights and democratic values;

– ensuring alignment with strategic documents at the community and regional levels;

– utilizing a standardized system of educational development criteria and indicators developed by DECIDE experts.

Additionally, the strategies also incorporate a participatory approach to their development and implementation, ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and a gender-sensitive perspective. After all, we are all working together for a common benefit!

"Since implementing the strategy, our lyceum has undergone many changes—we are keeping pace with the times, have gained a reliable partner in the DECIDE project, and are supported by people who are always available to guide us through this process. My advice to other educational institutions is simple: work, take action, create. We are working with a generation that is highly modern, and if we lag behind, we will never be able to teach them how to be competitive", - said Nataliia Mykhailevych, Director of Krasnosilske Lyceum.

This expert session served as a platform for inspiration, experience sharing, and the development of new initiatives. After three days of intensive work, participants return to their communities with fresh ideas to help improve their schools.