E2E is during 2020-2021. supported the implementation of a comprehensive analysis of the process, standards and criteria used to obtain the status of non-formal education service provider (JPOA). The final evaluation report was published in March 2021. Based on the results of this analysis, the Ministry of Education formed an intersectoral working group in 2021 with the task of revising the legal framework governing this area. Niras representatives were members of this working group. Thus, in December 2021, the Ministry of Education adopted a new Rulebook on detailed programmes, staff, premises, equipment, and teaching aids related requirements for acquiring the status of Publicly Recognised Adult Education Organiser, and in February 2022, a Rulebook on standards for self-assessment and external assessment of the quality of operations of Publicly Recognised Adult Education Organiser. Also in December 2021, with the support of the E2E project, the Ministry of Education published the Guide for obtaining JPOA status
- Methodological framework for the improvement of non-formal education
Systemic changes in the field of qualifications, the adoption of the Law on the National Qualifications Framework of the Republic of Serbia (NQFS) in 2018 and the referencing of the NOKS to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) in 2020, as well as the findings of the evaluation of the JPOA accreditation process, required the improvement of legislation as well as methodological framework in the field of non-formal education and training.
In the period 2021-2022, NIRAS supported the development of various methodological documents and instructions in the field of non-formal education and training. Project experts, in cooperation with employees of the Ministry of Education, the Agency for Qualifications and the Institute for Improvment of Education, developed a series of documents: Methodology for developing non-formal training programs, Methodology for assessing competences in non-formal education, Andragogic framework of competences for teachers/trainers in adult education; Guidelines for developing a training program for the acquisition of andragogic competencies; Methodological instructions for development of training programs based on qualification standards with appropriate instruments for evaluating training programs).
These documents were presented to the relevant actors of the process through workshops and public presentations.
- Strengthening of the quality assurance system in the work of JPOA
Based on the adopted standards for self-evaluation and external evaluation of the quality of JPOA's work, E2E experts, in cooperation with the employees of the Qualifications Agency, developed adequate procedures, instruments, relevant documentation for these processes within 2 guides - Guide for external evaluation of JPOA's work quality and Guide for self-evaluation of the quality of JPOA's work.
During the fall of 2022, two trainings were organized to strengthen the capacities of employees in the Ministry of Education and the Agency for Qualifications in the field of external evaluation and self-evaluation. A second training was held for selected JPOA organizations in preparation for piloting the evaluation process. The process of piloting evaluation procedures and instruments, as well as strengthening the capacities of employees and external assosiates in AoQ, MoE and the Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework Office (DENQFO) will continue in 2023.
- Promotion of JPOA accreditation process
The training market in Serbia is very diverse and still insufficiently regulated. In order to improve the quality of non-formal learning, an important step is the accreditation of training conducted by schools and other organizations (providers) such as civil society organizations, professional associations, companies and other JPOA. In order to meet in one place those who are already JPOA and those who are thinking about it, with the full affirmation of the accreditation process, the Qualification’s Agency, with the support of E2E, launched a series of regional events called the National Dialogue of JPOA. The first National Dialogue was held in Niš in November 2022 and the second in Šabac in December 2022.
