Interview with Director Milka Boričić: Empowering Education for All at JU OŠ Vuk Karadžić

At Charity for Balkan Children, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Our recent donation of five wheelchair-accessible tables to JU OŠ Vuk Karadžić in Berane, Montenegro, aims to support students with disabilities. 

We had the pleasure of interviewing the school’s director, Milka Boričić, to learn more about the impact of our donation and the school’s dedication to inclusive education.

Every school tells a unique story through its students, staff, and resources. This school is home to a thriving community of learners and educators, working together to create a supportive and inclusive environment. From the number of students and teachers to the grades offered and the provisions for children with disabilities, here’s an overview of what makes this school a special place for education and growth.

How many children attend the school?
The school has 1,027 students.

How many teachers are there in the school?
There are a total of 120 employees in the school.

How many grades are there in the school?
There are 9 grades in the school.

How many children with disabilities attend the school?
There are 2 students with disabilities in inclusive education and 14 students in the integrated class.

The Integrated Class and the Donation

Can you tell us more about the class that recently received a donation of 5 tables for children in wheelchairs?
The integrated class has 23 students divided into three cycles (Cycle I – first, second, and third grade, Cycle II – fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, and Cycle III – seventh, eighth, and ninth grade). The integrated class is taught by special education teachers and assisted by teaching assistants who provide technical support to the students.

What specific benefits do these tables provide to students with disabilities in their daily lives?
The tables have significantly eased the work and functioning of students who use wheelchairs due to their adaptability. Each table’s height and tilt can be adequately adjusted to meet the student’s needs, which was not possible before. The students have shown satisfaction and relief in their work, greater involvement in activities, and improved mobility since using the adapted tables.

Are there any specific needs or wishes you have for your students that are currently unmet?
Our students would benefit from a Rest Corner tailored to their needs, consisting of mats, lazy bags, and other elements that would provide them with comfort and adequate rest.

How do these tables support the inclusion and learning of children in your class? Students who have started using the new tables have a more natural body posture and seating, which promotes better attention and concentration for work. They have better access to materials, easier mobility, write more easily, and experience improved independence and self-reliance.

Additional Needs and Support

What other tools or resources, in your opinion, would be most helpful to students with disabilities?
Students with disabilities would benefit from communication technology and various devices for writing and typing that would ease their education.

Do you often collaborate with other humanitarian organizations, and if so, how do they support your school?
Various humanitarian organizations have recognized our efforts to help children with disabilities as much as possible, and thus, we often collaborate with them to mutual satisfaction.

What are the biggest challenges you face in working with children with disabilities? Challenges include the size of groups in the integrated class, the diversity of diagnoses, and inadequate space.

How can parents and the community better support the work of your school?
The community and parents can further enhance the work with support, empathy, and understanding, as well as by participating in work actions, workshops, and public events.

What are your plans or visions for further developing inclusion and support for children with disabilities in your school?
Our school continuously works on developing and improving inclusion, as well as additional training for teachers to enhance their work with students with disabilities. We plan to renovate and adapt the classrooms of the integrated department completely.

Celebrating Success

Are there any success stories or special moments you would like to share?
One of our second-grade students won a gold medal in bocce at the Special Olympics held this October.

Director Milka Boričić’s insights highlight the dedication and challenges faced by JU OŠ Vuk Karadžić in providing inclusive education. We are proud to support their efforts and look forward to continuing our collaboration to enhance the learning experience for all students.

To help our charity in the future, you can support us by sharing our achievements on social media, donating here, or purchasing our children’s book, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the charity.

Read more about our recent donation here.

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