Business Unusual: Reimagining Education for Marginalized Girls and Boys during and post COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed multiple structural challenges in the education system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among these are adequate access to online platforms, quality learning resources, as well as a lack of teachers’ capacities and joint standards for quality e-learning and provisions for leaving no-one behind.

This project forms part of the UN Socio-Economic Response Plan in BiH and unites UNICEF (lead agency), UNESCO, ILO and UNV in “Delivering as One”. It seeks to strengthen the capacities of education authorities, teachers and trainers in three pilot administrative units: Republika Srpska, Una-Sana Canton and West-Herzegovina Canton. The aim is to provide quality and inclusive e-learning and blended learning during and beyond the pandemic as well as to address disadvantaged girls and boys and gender-issues.

The project objectives center around:

1. A gender responsive back-to-school process
2. Education continuity: enhanced access to Information and Communication Technology, internet and digital contents
3. Increased quality and inclusivity of e-learning
4. Improved teachers’ capacities
5. Improved e-learning in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

ILO will focus in particular on e-learning and blended learning in TVET. The following actions lie at the center of the ILO intervention:

1. Strengthening education government authorities to manage e-learning and blended learning in TVET;
2. Professional development for TVET providers for creating, facilitating and implementing e-learning / blended learning;
3. Collaboration with TVET schools and the business community to reduce skills mismatches;
4. Developing multi-media e-learning materials for two key occupations and career-guidance materials to address girls' participation in STEM-intensive occupations.