As part of the government programme “Remote School – support for the Nationwide Education Network in the remote learning system”, PLN 99,861.00 was obtained to purchase 31 laptops for all county schools. In addition, PLN 70,000.00 was secured under the “Active Blackboard” programme to purchase electronic equipment that is so necessary today. Three laptops and nine interactive touchscreen monitors with a diagonal of at least 55 inches were purchased. The support went to students from four Bolesławiec schools: II Liceum Ogólnokształcące, Zespół Szkół Elektronicznych, Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych and Zespół Szkół Budowlanych.
A further PLN 30,000.00 was obtained to equip the workshop of the newly established “Technician Programmer” course at Zespół Szkół Elektronicznych, which received five 65-inch interactive monitors.
The Nationwide Education Network financed 50 tablets worth PLN 50,000.00 for Powiatowy Zespół Szkół i Placówek Specjalnych in Bolesławiec. Fifty-seven laptops with a total value of PLN 180,903.40 were provided to I and II Liceum Ogólnokształcące, Zespół Szkół Elektronicznych, Zespół Szkół Budowlanych and Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych as part of the “7 schools for a 6” project. In total, PLN 430,764.00 was spent on the purchase of 91 laptops, 14 interactive touchscreen monitors and 50 tablets.
The equipment is one thing, but working methods have also changed, and Powiatowe Centrum Edukacji i Kształcenia Kadr offered specific assistance in this area. A cooperation network for teachers from Bolesławiec County was created: a network for early-years and preschool teachers, Polish-language teachers, mathematics, physics, history and music teachers. Methodological advisers suggested ways of conveying information using online tools, how to use the MS Teams application in remote teaching and in teachers’ work during the pandemic. Based on the diagnosed needs of teachers from Bolesławiec County, a programme of training sessions, workshops and conferences was developed. These included “Developing Key Competences in the Lifelong Learning Process”, covering understanding and creating information, multilingualism, mathematics, natural sciences and technology. The training entitled “Google Platform Support: G Suite with Classroom and Meet in Teaching” addressed current needs. It was aimed primarily at teachers from ZSM in Bolesławiec, where the platform operates but is not always fully used. The classes covered creating assignments and quizzes, connecting online, managing connections—including information about notifications—and advice on conducting online classes: sharing screens, websites, presentations, films and recordings, and creating a virtual space with a database, among other topics. Training entitled “Remote Teaching and More – Interesting and Inspiring Tools Supporting Effective Learning” was also organised. The online training aimed to inspire teachers to conduct effective remote teaching.
These are just some of the support programmes and initiatives implemented during the difficult period of the pandemic by school principals, the Education, Culture and Sport Department and Powiatowe Centrum Edukacji i Kształcenia Kadr. According to their heads, Katarzyna Zięba and Katarzyna Reguła, they will help teachers seek interesting solutions for remote work with students and expand the range of classes conducted remotely, because this situation will remain our reality for many months.