Promoting school cultural heritage through visits to branch schools

In April, we provided pupils with access to high-quality educational content by running educational programmes at three remote branch schools. Our visit introduced communities with limited cultural access to a new way of learning through heritage, thus building a bridge between the schools and the museum.

As part of the special task ‘Reading literacy and competency building between the Museum and schools’, we visited three remote branch schools: Godovič (Idrija Primary School) on 10 April, Javorje (Poljane Primary School) on 13 April, and Drežnica (Kobarid Primary School) on 14 April.

During the Exploring Museum Objects workshop, pupils in Years 3 to 5 took on the role of a museum curator, discovering what the object in front of them was, what it was made of and how it was used in the past. Through their own research, they learnt about the education of pupils in the past.

In a brand new pedagogical workshop designed this year, ‘History Uncovered’, pupils in Years 1 and 2 explored how learning has changed over time by exploring objects and discussing them. We haven’t forgotten about toys, which were and still are part of education. At Drežnica Branch School, the workshop was adapted for pre-school children, thus also giving kindergarten children access to cultural content too.

Every single pupil at the branch schools we visited was able to experience what school was like in the past through a live history reenactment. During the Sunday School lesson, Mister Teacher, with a cane in his hand, guided the pupils in their reading and writing, while also checking their tidiness.

By visiting these remote schools, we introduced 107 pupils and 14 preschool children to the school cultural heritage.

With such activities, we prove that, as a museum, we can contribute significantly to the development of reading literacy, even in the most remote school environments. Through our well-designed educational programmes, we strengthen the building blocks of reading literacy as the key skills and knowledge that enable the comprehension, interpretation, and application of texts.

The task ‘Reading literacy and competency building between the Museum and schools’ continues our museum’s mission to support schools and teachers across Slovenia with modern methods.