Date: 13-01-2020

Macedonian Step by Step Foundation is Changing the Traditional Educational Paradigm

ISSA member Foundation for Educational and Cultural Initiatives Step by Step (SbS) from the Republic of North Macedonia is implementing projects and initiatives to support teachers’ professional development and raise the possibilities for all children to achieve their full potential through education, training courses, workshops, and educational events for over 20 years. The Foundation manages, coordinates, participates and directly implements activities that promote innovation, progress and development of work in preschools and primary schools. The organization is known for equipping kindergartens and supporting children of the socially disadvantaged categories. Besides the ongoing activities in preschools and primary schools in the last few years, the SbS expertise is widened and they address topics related to the inclusion of students with disabilities.

Macedonian Step by Step Foundation has the idea and example of changing the traditional educational paradigm that they can share with other ISSA members. Besides of more traditional activities, they offer reading sessions with public figures, host a mobile library, support Children’s Creative Center, theatre corner, literacy, numeracy, and other school didactical materials, distribute picture books and handbooks for teachers, develop digital learning resources that are accessible to people with disabilities and on multiple language spoken by the country’s minorities, award grants to local CSOs and support their civic engagement, support after-school activities developed by the school/youth clubs, etc.

“The Step by Step Foundation changes the professional life of anyone who has worked with them. It promotes and creates a culture of quality, breaks down barriers, stereotypes, and prejudices and leads towards changing attitudes and behaviors”, says Vesela Bogdanovic – one of the best 50 primary school teachers in the world and a winner of a global teacher prize for the innovative methods and technology in a contest supported by Varkey Foundation.

The Step by Step Foundation from the Republic of North Macedonia has built a trusted and respected public image. The SbS team nourishes and takes care of informing and actively communicating with teachers, parents, university professors, special educators and rehabilitators, school clubs, school inclusion teams, and other stakeholders. The interaction between the SbS and its followers, collaborators and all the respective partners, is very dynamic and forceful. Every communication tool through the Foundation’s website, social media, traditional media, electronic bulletin, public appearances on a regular basis and public events, emphasizes its main message: “Every child to reach their full potential! Every child!”