Teaching and learning of natural science in grades 1-5 of primary school: Manual for teacher training

Natural science education is an important part of general education of children at school. In the
era of information explosion and the rapid development of technology, it is impossible for the school
to be a place which transmit information to children and require from them to memorize. Kosovo, as other Western Balkan countries, aims to join the EU in a near future, which means its strategic goal is to be a knowledge society, i.e. one that, among other things, equips schoolchildren with lifelong skills and gives them opportunities to build and create their knowledge, instead of transmitting information. School enables children to use discovery skills as scientists do, solve problems and actively participate in knowledge construction. Education in natural science subjects in Kosovo during the past decade has marked a continous progress. In 2001, the new objective-based curriculum was drafted, which differs from the previous traditional system by integrating the natural sciences into a common and very qualitative programme. However, efforts to raise the quality in education continue, and teachers are aware that their subject contents should be transformed further, and the teaching methods should be enriched. Teacher training needs are identified and analyzed in the survey “Overview on Training Needs of Education Management Staff and Subject Teachers in Mathematics and Natural Sciences” This survey was carried out by the “Capacity Development in the Basic Education Sector in Kosovo” (GIZ/CDBE) Programme.