Science and Education Minister Radovan Fuchs on Thursday presented the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) related to education, science and research, underscoring that investments worth HRK 7.5 billion have been secured for that segment.

Fuchs presented the plan at the Faculty of Metallurgy in the central Croatian town of Sisak, explaining that in addition to record investments, it was important to highlight the reform nature of the measures foreseen in the NPOO.

The minister said that of the total investments of HRK 7.5 billion, HRK 5.1 billion were foreseen for reforms in the education system.

The majority of the foreseen funds relate to infrastructure projects including the construction, extension, reconstruction and equipping of schools.

He explained that considering a low level of participation in early and pre-school education and  regional differences in that regard, the aim is to improve accessibility and ensure additional capacities so that by 2030 all children in Croatia aged from three to six participate in a pre-school programmes.

Noting that participation in early and pre-school education in Croatia is still among the lowest in the European Union, Fuchs said that in 2016 the range of children in nursery programmes in counties ranged from 5.6% to 40.4% and in kindergarten programmes from 24.4% to 82.8%.

HRK 2.4 billion for better research and innovation

Investments worth HRK 2.4 billion are foreseen to increase capacities in research and innovation. Of that money, more than one billion kuna refers to research infrastructure which includes construction, extension, reconstruction and equipping research laboratories and technological centres.

An additional HRK 900 million is earmarked for research-development and innovation projects with the participation of the private sector in financing projects.

(€1 = 7.5 kuna)