Until 1955, kindergartens were part of schools. There were four groups in Serbian (2 groups in Vranjevo and 2 groups in Novi Bečej) and two groups in Hungarian (1 in Šušanj and 1 in the center of Novi Bečej). On September 1, 1955, the kindergarten became independent, with its own administration, and began to focus exclusively on the problems of managing and developing its groups.
The first manager of the kindergarten was the previous "zabavilja" (a term used for a preschool teacher, who had completed the necessary training), Marija Grujić (Aunt Mara, as she was called), who continued working with the children while managing the kindergarten. She was particularly dedicated to expanding the network of kindergartens and reducing the number of children per group, as some groups had up to 60 children of mixed ages. A major challenge was the lack of didactic materials and insufficient educational equipment. The furniture was scarce and inadequate.
Through great effort, Aunt Mara managed to secure suitable furniture (small chairs and tables) made by carpenters, appropriate for the children's age. Parents provided significant help through voluntary work, assisting in making props, playgrounds, fences, shelves, and toys (dominoes, lotto, matching cards, etc.).
In 1957, the first preschool teacher with a completed five-year preschool education, Zagorka Žebeljan (Miloradović), started working. She advocated for the term "vaspitač" (educator) instead of "zabavilja," as the role had evolved from simply entertaining and babysitting children to an educational and developmental one. The quality of educational work improved as young, educated, enthusiastic staff began their careers.
The teachers worked according to the guidelines from the "Educational Work in Preschool Institutions" issued by the Pedagogical Council of the School for Preschool Teachers in Belgrade. The first edition of the guidelines was published in 1952, with a revised edition in 1958/59, aimed at further improving preschool education.
By 1960, new groups began to open. In Maršala Tita Street No. 22 (the administrative and first constructed building), there was one group in Serbian and one in Hungarian. In Ivo Iole Ribara Street No. 21, one group in Serbian and one in Hungarian (in two shifts), and in Radnička Street No. 80, two groups in Hungarian (in two shifts).
In Vranjevo, on Josifa Marinkovića Street No. 47, there was one group in Serbian and one in Hungarian (in one shift), and at No. 103 in the same street, one group in Serbian. In Proleterska Street No. 3 (Novo Selo), there was one group in Serbian, in the premises of the Youth House. In 1958, the kindergarten moved to a newly built building with the first apartment for an educator. By 1959, two groups in Serbian operated here, in two shifts.
On Biserno Ostrvo (a workers' settlement), one mixed-age group in Serbian worked. In Novi Miloševu, there were three groups in Serbian and one in Hungarian. In Bočar, one group in Serbian, and in Kuman, two groups in Serbian.
On September 1, 1960, Zagorka Miloradović (Žebeljan) was appointed as the kindergarten manager. She worked to improve educational activities and was also an active socio-political worker. She advocated for age and size consistency within groups.
She was awarded the Order of Labor by the President of SFRJ, as well as recognitions for her long-term and selfless work in preschool institutions from the Association of Preschool Institutions of SAPV and the October Award of the Municipality of Novi Bečej. During this period, the programs for educational work were updated and expanded, depending on the changes in society. Preschool education became an integral part of the overall educational system, focusing on the care and development of children. The goals were to ensure conditions for normal physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and moral development, prepare children for school, and facilitate their successful integration into life in the social and natural environment.
In 1962, the kindergartens from Kuman, Novi Miloševu, and Bočar were integrated. The "Pava Sudarski" Kindergarten now included all kindergartens in the municipality, with 11 facilities, 21 educational groups, 15 in Serbian and 6 in Hungarian. The groups were divided by age.
The facilities were old, damp, and unsuitable, but educators, support workers, and parents volunteered to ensure the buildings were aesthetically and functionally suitable for children.
In 1964, Snežana Dudaš, a preschool teacher until then, was appointed as the manager and held this position until 1990. Snežana worked hard to improve educational activities, procuring modern, functional furniture and new physical education equipment. New facilities were built. She was awarded the October Prize of the Municipality of Novi Bečej and recognition for special achievements in work creativity and the development of self-management from the Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Municipality of Novi Bečej.
Comments