(ZAGREB, Croatia) - A delegation of officials from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Education Ministers and authorities from seven Latin American countries met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Zagreb as part of a study tour to discuss extended school-day policies aimed at ensuring quality education for all.
The tour, organized by the IDB and Croatian authorities, is part of an agreement that seeks to enhance and diversify learning opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean through data-driven decision-making and innovative pedagogical strategies.
“School-day extensions offer an opportunity to reimagine schools, not merely as spaces for learning, but also as environments that foster holistic student development. This discussion encompasses cross-cutting issues such as school meals, physical and digital infrastructure, efficient resource allocation, effective school leadership, autonomy, innovative pedagogies, and collaborative partnerships with civil society. In this sense, Latin America and the Caribbean can benefit from Croatia’s experience in reshaping the school day,” said Ferdinando Regalia, Manager of IDB’s Social Sector.
The discussions focused on opportunities for post-pandemic educational recovery, policies related to extended school days, the contributions of extended school days to equity, and pedagogical innovation through digital transformation.
“Over the past eight years, Croatia has launched an investment cycle of 2.7 billion euros across all levels of education and doubled the funding for science and education. Additionally, Croatia has undertaken several measures aimed at making primary education more accessible and of higher quality: providing free school meals, free transport, and free textbooks,” said Prime Minister Plenković. “I am therefore pleased that the delegation from Latin America and the Caribbean has recognized our model and that our experience can help them in designing the extension of the school day.”
The IDB and Croatia are collaborating on two technical projects to improve education systems in Brazil and Argentina. The project in Brazil supports decision-making and policy design to improve education in the municipalities of Manaus, São Paulo, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, and the states of Amazonas and Pará. The project in Argentina focuses on extending the school day at the secondary level in the Argentine provinces of Mendoza and Misiones.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.
Planes,Maria Soledad
IDB and Croatia to Promote Education and Digital Transformation
Both parties will collaborate to develop the region's life skills and digital transformation.