WE DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE HEALTHY AND SAFE SCHOOL DAYS

In 2015, that is, on the occasion of the World Day of Safety and Health at Work (28 April), Pivara Skopje continued the realization of the project in which over 1.500 students were educated about health and safety in the school environment. This time, the project included the fourth-grade students from the primary schools in the municipalities in Skopje, i.e. Gazi Baba, Aerodrom and Chair. Owing to this program, the students and their teachers obtained practical tips on how to protect themselves from accidents, what is the right sitting position at the school desk and what should be done in case of fire.

“Kongresi I Manastirit” Primary School from Chair took part in the project that was accepted with pleasure both, by the teaching staff and the students. From the conversation we had with the teachers Djejlan Hasani and Maber Hasani, whose classes were able to hear the tips regarding healthy and safe days at school, we learnt that the effect on their students was really satisfactory.

“Among others, there was an activity that demonstrated what the right sitting position of the students is, while attending classes. To our great satisfaction, children were very active. We, as teachers, talk about this topic all the time, especially during the homeroom. However, the effects are much higher when we get a visitor because children are somehow more attentive and this has positive impact on them,” they told us.

That was the occasion to have a meeting with the school principle of this school, Faik Djoni, who offered to take us on a tour around the new school building. One has to admit that we were impressed because of the natural light that penetrates the building from all sides. The main topic of our discussion was precisely how the health and safety are maintained in the school, but as we walked we were able to learn something more about him personally.

As school principle, how do you insist on maintaining the health and safety in the school environment?

We pay special attention to the hygiene. We also created an ecological corner in the school yard where we have planted a variety of plants and students look after them. It is very important that students cooperate with the teachers and together they take care of the hygiene both, in the school and in the yard. Previously we worked in a very old building with catastrophic conditions, but despite the conditions we were doing our best to ensure healthy working and learning environment. I can praise the students from this school – the level of students’ engagement has always been very high.

Do the students need additional education on the topic of health and safety in the school environment?

Certainly, it is required. The teachers from our school always insist on educating the children. For instance, part of the education is that students are taken to systematic medical check-ups in the outpatient clinic, where many disorders are being identified because of improper sitting in class. Then, we always talk to the parents and recommend that they take their children for regular check-ups.

To what extent did this initiative ensure that students raise their awareness about the importance of health and safety at school?

I always support the initiatives from which students can learn a lot. The program of Pivara Skopje was successfully realized and it had positive effect both, on the students and the teaching staff.

What do you do for your professional development?

I am 100% dedicated to my work. I try to keep track continuously about all developments in the school. Besides being among the teaching staff and students all the time, I rarely miss any seminar or training in Macedonia, as well as, abroad, and sometimes I consult vocational literature.
Well, education is a living matter and is constantly subject to some changes, and therefore if I do not keep track and do not professionally develop, I would not be able to perform my function successfully, and in turn that would impact the work of our school. Additionally, I insist on conveying that to all the teachers in the school.

What is the most fulfilling thing about your work and how do you make balance between your private and professional obligations?

Every morning, I come to my workplace with pleasure because I know that I work for the good of the future generations of children. The enjoyment is even greater when I see that my efforts contribute to having good results; and the fact that children get engaged beyond the given obligations or that students with poor achievements also make progress.
With reference to the balance between my family and working obligations, one can achieve everything if there is a good will and a good organization. One advantage is that I live in the proximity of the school and practically, I am available all the time. Working hours do not exist for me, I try to finish everything that has been started, but I absolutely try to avoid any negative impact on the time I spent with my family.
Anyway, the building where we are now is completely new. It was constructed in 2013, because the previous shacks were very old and dated back to 1964. They were deteriorated and provided very poor working conditions. Although we have a new building and excellent conditions, yet we are having hardships about certain issues, and we do not have the gym hall. Sports activities are very important for the proper development of children. Now, we focus on finding donations in order to resolve that issue.