About 21st Century Schools | British Council

Child looking at the micro:bit codable computer

Run in partnership with relevant educational institutions in each country, the programme is designed to equip students aged 10-15 years with the critical thinking and problem solving skills. As well as learning critical thinking and problem solving skills, children will learn practical programming skills and have the opportunity to practice their skills through physical computing.

As part of the programme each school in Western Balkans is going to be provided with a number of micro:bit devices – pocket sized computers which children can programme onto and use across subjects to solve every day problems. It allows students to learn in a fun, interactive and innovative way.

To compete in the global job market, skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, digital literacy and creativity are key to success.

Teachers talking — “As soon as they took the micro:bit in their hand, their imagination gone wild, they started asking questions, “what if we try this?”, “what if we connect the micro:bit with this?”, “what would happen if we do this?”. That is the key, learning to solve non routine problems. Children are becoming creative and in my opinion that is very important.” – Teacher

Where did it start – Story of the bravest schools

The pilot project „21st Century Schools“ was implemented in cooperation with BBC micro:bit education foundation during 2017 and 2018. It involved 135 schools and 26 000 students across the Western Balkans.

During the pilot project, 1180 teachers were trained in how to apply new skills teaching using micro:bit device.They all went through five days of induction training on how to introduce three skills (Critical thinking, problem solving and coding using the micro:bit) in their teaching and learning process. Support was provided by 17 National Core Skill trainers, trained by British Councils in-house experts and Micro:bit Educational Foundation staff.