The last of 24 Professional Development Centers (PDC) opened in Junik on June 20. Maureen A. Shauket, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director and Agron Kuçi, Mayor of Junik unveiled the official plaque of this center for teachers in Junik.

“USAID has been working in partnership with the municipality of Junik on a number of projects and activities but nothing is more important than the work that we have done together here in this school. The Professional Development Center helps teachers to share, to network and learn best practices. And teachers will be able to use these skills, the new innovative approaches in teaching their students” said Shauket at the official ceremony.

Professional Development Centers are designed to help Kosovo teachers keep up with modern curricula and new technologies in education. By providing the space and equipment for teachers to upgrade their skills and apply new technological skills in their classes, USAID is helping Kosovo’s education address this challenge.

The Centers will continue to develop the capacity to monitor the quality of the schools and support the professional development of teachers in their respective municipalities, as required by the decentralization laws, which places the responsibility for quality education, in local schools with municipalities and school directors.

The event included plaque unveiling and student demonstrations of the use of modern educational technology in the 21st Century Classroom, provided by USAID’s Basic Education Program.