School to teach students to think, not just to remember: Goals of the National Curriculum Framework

Montenegrin schools should focus more on ensuring that children understand what they are learning, connect knowledge from different subjects, and be able to apply it in real life, and less on mere memorization and reproduction of material.

This stems from the National Curriculum Framework of Montenegro, a document of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI), to which the National Education Council recently gave a positive opinion.

The Ministry of Education and Science previously announced that this document represents the starting point for the reform of preschool, primary and secondary education.

The document states that the Framework is “a fundamental systemic document establishing coherent and quality pre-university education and upbringing in Montenegro.” The Framework defines the goals, values, and outcomes of education, as well as unique quality standards, and specifically emphasizes the need for teaching to be child-centered and learning-oriented.

"You can't do without content and teachers, but their main roles are to initiate and support effective learning," the document states.

School, it is stated, should be a place where children feel safe, respected and encouraged to learn, ask questions, make mistakes and progress.

The Framework emphasizes that every child wants and can learn “if they are provided with a caring, safe, and supportive environment,” in which there are positive relationships between teachers, children, and peers.

The document also stipulates that education develops the child as a whole - their knowledge, character, health, responsibility, critical thinking, ability to cooperate and willingness to learn throughout life.

“To achieve the goals of education and upbringing, our Curriculum Framework is designed to develop the character, mind and body of children/students,” the document states.

The National Curriculum Framework of Montenegro was developed as part of a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education, UNICEF and the European Union - “Quality Education for All Children of Montenegro”.

The special importance of reading literacy

Among the key competences that students need to develop are reading, mathematical and scientific literacy, digital, information and media literacy, a responsible attitude towards health and safety, civic and entrepreneurial competence, creative expression, environmental awareness and sustainable development.

The importance of reading literacy is particularly emphasized, as it is the basis for all other forms of learning.

"Traditional reading literacy is the foundation of all other literacies and enables children/students to access information from various fields, as well as effective learning of all subjects," the document states.

This, it was specified, means that the student should not only read the text, but also understand what it says, why it was written, recognize the author's tone, distinguish facts from opinions, and connect what they read with their own experience.

The document also warns that digital literacy is not just technical knowledge of working on a computer.

"It implies the safe, critical, creative and responsible use of digital technology for work, learning and participation in society," the Framework states.

According to the document, students should know how to find information, check whether the source is reliable, protect their data, recognize online violence, manipulation and disinformation, but also understand the importance of responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The framework also introduces nine cross-curricular themes, which should connect different subjects with real life. These are lifelong learning and career guidance, personal and social development, digital literacy, information and media literacy, civic education, entrepreneurial learning, financial literacy and social entrepreneurship, cultural identity, health and safety, as well as sustainable development and climate change.

"The primary purpose of cross-curricular themes is to unify the content of different areas of learning or subjects and connect education with real life," the document states.

It is added that cross-curricular learning helps children develop the habit of connecting knowledge from different sources and thinking independently, "instead of just learning unrelated facts from different fields."

What is particularly important for parents is that the Framework envisions a school that values ​​not only the correct answer on a test, but also the child's progress, effort, way of thinking, and ability to apply what has been learned.

Teachers are the key

The document states that assessment should be part of learning, not just a final assessment of knowledge.

"The framework ensures that assessment is a way to encourage independent student learning, to develop independent, self-regulated learning, and not just a final assessment of knowledge and a determination of student success or failure," the document states, adding that special emphasis is placed on continuously monitoring student progress and providing timely, targeted feedback.

It was emphasized that the teacher is the key carrier of the educational process.

"In the Framework's concept, the teacher is the key bearer of the educational process, a professional who competently and responsibly implements the spirit and letter of the curriculum in working with children/students," the document states.

The implementation of the Framework, as it is added, requires teachers' professional autonomy, professional competence, responsibility for decisions, willingness to cooperate, and the ability to be agents of change in education.

The document insists on fairness and inclusiveness - quality education must be equally accessible to all children, regardless of their social, cultural, economic, religious, linguistic, gender or other characteristics.

“The framework strongly advocates for the principle of equity in education, that quality education be equally accessible to all children/students,” the document states.