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Construction and Progress: A Chronicle of Preschool Education in Novi Bečej
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Construction and Progress: A Chronicle of Preschool Education in Novi Bečej

To successfully achieve the goals and objectives of preschool education, a qualified teaching staff was essential. Former educators with five years of secondary education graduated from the Pedagogical Academy for Educators while working between 1975 and 1979. They took pride in the fact that out of 21 educators, 19 graduated from the Academy.

Each year from 1970 to 1980, funds were allocated for new furniture, which was more modern than the previous and tailored to children's needs. Classrooms were equipped with physical education tools, musical instruments, and, with parents' help, carpets, curtains for workrooms, and didactic materials were purchased. Educators were heavily involved in creating visual aids and aesthetically improving the facilities.

From the very beginning, the organization developed diverse forms of cooperation with parents. Parents actively participated in the education and upbringing process, ensuring a unified influence on children. The collaboration aimed to develop children into well-rounded personalities, with educators providing professional support to ensure proper and consistent educational impacts.

During this period, the employment rate of women increased significantly. Children were often inadequately cared for while their parents were at work, prompting the first considerations about constructing daycare centers. Organized preschool education could fulfill broader social functions, including childcare, nutrition, and health and social protection.

By pooling funds from Basic Organizations of Associated Labor (OOUR) and other self-governing organizations in Novi Bečej, the initial steps were taken to address the accommodation of the youngest. Financial contributors included:

  • The Provincial Fund for Children's Protection of Vojvodina,
  • The Social Protection Fund,
  • The Municipal Fund for Children's Protection,
  • Local communities in Novi Bečej,
  • The Municipal Assembly.

On the Liberation Day of Novi Bečej, October 4, 1978, construction began on the first phase of the daycare, the first facility of its kind. In the presence of numerous guests, the foundation stone was laid, marking the commencement of work. Construction lasted a year, and the following school year, 1979/80, preparations began for the opening of the new daycare. The entire staff participated in organizing the building, yard, workrooms, and other spaces.

On October 4, 1979, at 11:45 AM, the ribbon was ceremonially cut. Since the boiler room was not yet operational and the equipment was incomplete, children in part-day care at Marshal Tito Street No. 22 moved only on December 1, 1979.

Efforts intensified to recruit children for the daycare's opening. Operations began with five children—Jelena Budić, Jovan Kovačev, Vladimir Zarić, Igor Ibrajter, and Smiljana Solarov—and reached 27 by year's end. In the fall of the 1980/81 school year, preparations began for the second phase involving the nursery’s opening.

The nursery opened on April 1, 1981, initially accommodating four two-year-olds and seven one-year-olds. Gradually, the number of children in the nursery and daycare increased yearly, with 25 children on the waiting list by 1982/83. That year, the demand for daycare services exceeded capacity, leaving some children unaccepted. Parents showed great interest in having their children attend daycare for two years.

By the 1984/85 school year, preparatory groups grew to 36-37 children, and 52 children aged 5-6 could not be admitted. Parents and local communities from Novi Bečej insisted on opening another preschool group for children aged 5-6 and forming an additional daycare group for 46 children on the waiting list.

Based on analysis, the percentage of children aged 6-7 enrolled in preschool was as follows: Novi Bečej - 96.79%, Novo Miloševo - 93.90%, Kumane - 92.31%, Bočar - 100%, totaling 95.76%.

In September 1984, the local community in Novo Miloševo expressed interest in constructing a new daycare to replace the existing, 80-year-old deteriorating building. Construction of the new facility in Novo Miloševo began in August 1985, marking a joyous moment for children, educators, and residents of Karlovo.

The same year saw the beginning of construction for the first factory daycare in Novi Bečej and Vojvodina, within the grounds of the "Polet" Construction Ceramics Industry. The initiative came from the factory’s union to prioritize placing workers' children in daycare while parents worked. The Provincial Fund for Children's Protection, the municipal fund, the local community, and "Polet" itself provided funding, with materials supplied by "Polet" (770 m²).

In 1985, the 30th anniversary of the "Pava Sudarski" Preschool Institution was celebrated. In recognition of outstanding contributions to preschool education, several employees received awards.

The "Poletarac" facility, within the "Polet" factory, officially opened in 1986, equipped with modern furnishings, audiovisual aids, and didactic materials. The facility started with 96 children in two nursery and two preschool groups.

The same year, a new facility in Novo Miloševo named "Jovanka Dobrosavljev-Mica" (430 m²) was inaugurated. Staff and parents worked together to prepare the building, which was furnished and ready to receive children from Karlovo.

In 1988, a renovated facility in Kumane, named "Milenko Titin" (300 m²), opened, featuring improved lighting, warmth, and hygienic conditions previously unavailable. Adaptations and expansions in Bočar allowed two preschool groups to relocate from a school building.

Over the last decade, investments in new facilities and modern furniture significantly improved preschool education conditions, progressively ensuring that every local community in the municipality had a new or renovated preschool building.

In the "Vranjevo" neighborhood of Novi Bečej, a 450 m² facility was constructed in 1989, consolidating four preschool groups from two inadequate buildings. Named "Kolibri," it opened on Novi Bečej's Liberation Day.

Upon completing "Kolibri," the third phase of the "Leptirić" facility began to transfer children from outdated buildings to modern settings. The "Pava Sudarski" Preschool Institution received the first prize in Vojvodina in 1990 for the aesthetic arrangement of the "Poletarac" facility.

Longtime director Snežana Dudaš retired in 1991 after 30 years at "Pava Sudarski," 26 of which she served as director. Sofia Kuprešanin succeeded her as acting director.

By October 4, 1991, the third phase of "Leptirić" was completed, relocating children from two old facilities to spacious, well-lit rooms with optimal learning conditions.

On December 24, 1991, Marija Vrebalov, an educator, was appointed acting director and later confirmed as director in July 1992. Over her 28-year career, she achieved significant results, particularly in art education, with her groups winning numerous awards at Yugoslav and international competitions.

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