Critical thinking is a cognitive process of rational and analytical examination of reality and the world, as one way of reaching the truth. Critical thinking works by carefully reviewing, evaluating, and analyzing a topic or matter, so that after considering and contrasting the results of their observations, they apply an objective point of view. It is a skill necessary in the 21st century.
On Friday, December 10, 2021. A solemn ceremony of awarding certificates for teaching staff was held at the Hills Hotel within the SAPERE BIH program – Philosophy for Children (P4C). The solemn ceremony was attended by the British Ambassador N.E. Matthew Field, Ph.D. Patricia Hannam, representative of the UK SAPERE Institute (online), Minister of Education of Sarajevo Canton mr. sci. Naida Muminović-Hota, Assistant Minister of Education of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Sudo Marić and Minister of Education of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, prof. dr. Spahija Kozlić. On behalf of the TPO Foundation, the program director prof. dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak and project assistant Nejra Džananović.
The trainers, within the SAPERE program, were prof. Dragana Koprivica and prof. Elmana Cerić. A group of teachers and pedagogical experts from BiH has been certified: Andreja Pehar, Amela Macić, Marija Ćavar, Melina Fazlić, Senada Salihović, Razija Šahinović, Željko Šarić, Nizama Omerović, Željka Tubić, Sanela Delić, Tanja Tešanović, Senada Milanović, Azra Mahić and Zilic.
In the last four years, the TPO Foundation, in cooperation with the SAPERE Institute from Great Britain, has additionally trained the teaching staff of primary and secondary schools and universities for the application of critical thinking methods (P4C) in the teaching process. This is the second group of teachers who are completing the one-year training cycle of the accredited Professional Development Program for Teachers of SAPERA BiH “Philosophy for Children” (P4C).
“Your certificates are just a piece of paper, and what you will bring to your classrooms, to your classrooms, to your students, is a way to specifically change your student’s view because this is a lifestyle; in fact, the real value of such programs “- said the Ministry of Education of Sarajevo Canton, M.Sc. sci. Naida Hota Muminovic.
The “Philosophy for Children” method is applicable in all subjects, and aims to encourage and develop critical, creative, empathetic and collaborative thinking in students and, according to numerous empirical studies, significantly improves their self-confidence, media literacy and their academic integrity.
In cooperation with the competent ministries, the goal is to continue to expand the network of educated teachers with certified teaching staff, who will have teaching competencies adequate to today’s educational requirements, strengthening them and thus significantly contributing to ongoing educational reforms.
