Zagreb School Expands to Enable Single-Shift Classes for 900 Students

The Jure Kaštelan Elementary School in Zagreb's Savica neighborhood is set to expand significantly, with a second phase of reconstruction and expansion planned to increase its capacity and facilitate a transition to single-shift classes. This initiative aims to provide improved learning environments and better accommodate the growing student population.

The project involves adding nearly 900 square meters of new space to the existing school, which currently covers just over 7,000 square meters. Upon completion, the school's capacity will rise from 32 classrooms serving around 600 students to 32 classrooms accommodating approximately 900 students. This expansion is crucial for enabling the school to operate on a single-shift schedule, a move expected to enhance the quality of education and daily school activities for all pupils.

Construction work is scheduled to begin in the fall, following the public procurement process and the selection of a contractor. The renovation will be carefully organized to minimize disruption to ongoing classes, with minimal structural interventions on the existing building. The most substantial additions will include a new floor featuring six classrooms, along with associated offices, storage areas, and accessible restrooms designed for students and individuals with disabilities.

The total cost for the construction and equipping of the expansion is estimated at 4.15 million euros, including VAT. A significant portion, 2.8 million euros, will be co-financed through EU funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), with the remainder covered by the City of Zagreb's budget. The construction is expected to take ten months to complete.

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević emphasized the numerous benefits of single-shift schooling for children and families. These include expanded opportunities for extracurricular activities and sports, the provision of necessary facilities for preparing hot meals, and better alignment of school schedules with parents' working hours. "Our priority is to ensure single-shift schooling for all children in Zagreb and provide them with the best possible conditions for development and learning, and we will not stop until we achieve it," Tomašević stated.

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Our priority is to ensure single-shift schooling for all children in Zagreb and provide them with the best possible conditions for development and learning, and we will not stop until we achieve it.