JU Srednja škola Stolac proudly earned the title of the First School of Excellence in the Herzegovina region on November 14, 2023. The celebratory ceremony took place at the school premises, attended by school staff, colleagues from other schools, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and ministers.
In partnership with JU Srednja škola Stolac, and with continuous support from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the HNK, Pedagogical Institute Mostar, and the Institute for Education Mostar, a decade-long journey unfolded. During this time, numerous activities were conducted to strengthen the school’s capacity to implement one of the world’s top 12 scientifically-based educational programs for violence prevention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth, known as the ‘Program Y.’
JU Srednja škola Stolac achieved the status of a School of Excellence after reinforcing capacities, including training for teaching staff, enhancing student capabilities, conducting research, and strengthening psychosocial competencies based on the Program Y methodology. Throughout this capacity-building process, the teaching staff received education, and over 100 workshops were conducted with the participation of at least 120 students. Remarkably, 30 students became activists, serving as peer educators.
Youth Power, as part of the YMI program, has long been involved in violence prevention and the promotion of healthier lifestyles. In the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, the organization collaborates with primary and secondary schools and universities. The quality of the school’s work in Stolac has been recognized, leading to its designation as a School of Excellence. This marks it as one of the schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina granted the status of a School of Excellence and the first in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
The capacity-building efforts and achievement of the School of Excellence status were made possible by the project ‘Youth Initiative: Promoting Healthier Lifestyles and Reducing Interpersonal Violence among Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Challenging Gender Stereotypes III.’ This project is supported by the Swiss Government and CARE Germany and is implemented by Youth Power Mostar, CARE International Balkans, and other partner organizations.