Croatia presented its ambitious PROMikro project which will use microcomputers to introduce digital literacy elements into various elementary school classes and extracurricular activities.

The Ministry of science and education, along with the Croatian academic and research network (CARNet) and the Croatian Institute for Development and Youth innovation (IRIM), has announced the PROMikro project. This aims to improve algorithmic thinking and problem-solving approaches to different teaching subjects and extracurricular activities by using microcomputers.

In the second phase of the project, all sixth grade primary school learners will be equipped with microcomputers with the aim of improving their digital competences, encouraging creativity and innovation and an interdisciplinary approach in the use of information technology. The school will lend the microcomputers to learners for a year.

At the presentation ceremony, the education minister Mrs. Blaženka Divjak expressed the ministry’s enthusiasm and support for a digital transformation of primary schools.

Interdisciplinary learning

School teachers will also be trained to use computers to help learners develop computer literacy through all school subjects. For example, learners will be able to create a step-counter programme that can be used in physical education, or able to create a programme that can simulate the spread of a virus in the vaccinated and untreated population, by which learners will easily understand the correlation among vaccination and the prevention of epidemics.

Digitalization and the use of new technologies, both in business and everyday life, are essential to economic and social development today. The PROMicro project will enable early access to the new technologies for children and the acquisition of knowledge and skills development necessary to prepare for everyday life and the future labour market.