In 2022, the Albanian Government in close cooperation with UNICEF conceived the National Program for Extracurricular Activities (“Programi Kombëtar për Aktivitetet Jashtë Orarit Mësimor (JOM)”). This comprehensive programs spans thematic areas such as: art, craft, technology, environment and agriculture, sports and well-being.[1] Designed to broaden horizons and offer diverse learning experiences, this Afterschool Program encompasses disciplines like painting, music, choir, theater, crafts, technology, sports, and permaculture.

The National Afterschool Program (JOM) is the newest initiative of the Ministry of State for Youth and Children, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports. This intervention provides additional learning time and opportunities for expanding horizons, as well as diverse learning experiences for children and youth. JOM is expected to bring several benefits for the participants, including higher academic achievements; increased life and professional skills; and lower likelihood of alcohol or drug use.

JOM program is organized in two levels, tailoring courses according to skill level: the first level courses are available to all interested students from all cycles, while the second level courses provides specialized classes to students from the lower secondary cycle and the upper middle one, who show dedication, talent and achieve excellent results.

The first level of the JOM program started implementation in January during the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year. The program is offered free of charge and is accessible to all children and youth from first to twelfth grade in 200 pilot schools across Albania. The program is being implemented in the form of elective courses that take place in the school premises and are taught by the teachers of the same school, regularly (twice a week) throughout the school year. In total, 1041 thematic courses in 8 disciplines were opened (painting, music, choir, theater, crafts, technology, sports and permaculture), engaging over 644 teachers and involving more than 10.000 students in the pre-university system.

The second level of the JOM program will have some differences with the first level as it will consist in more advanced courses. The second-level courses will be held in specialized centers, selected according to criteria of accessibility and suitability, and classes will be taught by special experts of each thematic course. Students who follow the second-level course in a certain thematic field will have the opportunity to follow the first-level course in the same field. The second level of the JOM program is expected to start implementation in 2024.

Objectives - the Technical Assistance program is foreseeing to provide international and national expertise to support the Minister of State for Youth and Children, in charge for the implementation of the JOM afterschool program in order to support the drafting of the national program and curricula, with the inclusion of a gender approach.

National expert specific tasks :

 Develop a comprehensive document that outlines the vision, mission, goals, and scope of the second phase of the JOM program, clearly articulating program's intended impact and benefits.

-          Refine and finalize the proposed governance structure based on stakeholder feedback and approval, ensuring that roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes are clearly defined.

-          Identify potential partners and stakeholders for the program's second phase, including educational institutions, community organizations, and government bodies.

-          Develop a program plan, which is gender mainstreamed, including curriculum frameworks, teaching methodologies, and learning objectives.

-          Prepare an indicative budget that outlines the estimated costs for implementing the second phase of the JOM program.

-          Identify potential financing sources, including government funding, grants, donations, and partnerships.

-          Define the human resource requirements for the program, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.

-          Develop criteria and processes for selecting participants, ensuring fairness and inclusivity.

-          Design monitoring and evaluation instruments to measure the program's progress, impact, and effectiveness, include key performance indicators and data collection methods.

-          Develop a sustainability plan that outlines strategies for maintaining the program's operations beyond the initial implementation phase, identifying long-term funding sources and strategies for community engagement.

-          Finalization of the National Program of the second level of JOM in Albanian, ensuring that all components of the program, including vision, governance, curriculum, budget, and monitoring, are thoroughly reviewed and accepted.