The newly opened facility has enrolled 34 children under the age of three, with an additional 60 children in older groups. However, the interest in the nursery and kindergarten exceeds the current capacity, according to the Croatian National Council (HNV), which oversaw the construction of the building.
“There is a great need for Croatian-language preschool institutions. Our kindergartens are full, in fact, they are booked several years in advance,” said Jasna Vojnić, HNV president and member of the Croatian Parliament.
In this context, she noted the high demand for the Croatian-Catholic kindergarten in the village of Tavankut, which is nearing completion and whose construction is also funded by the Croatian government.
“This is planting seeds for the future. The Croatian government recognises these projects as exceptionally important for Croats in Serbia,” stated Zvonko Milas, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, at the inauguration of the nursery in Subotica, built at the convent of the Sisters of Mercy.
As part of the "Grow Where You Are Planted" project, a new playground was also equipped at the third Croatian kindergarten, located in the Aleksandrovo neighborhood of Subotica.
This school year, 30 first-graders have enrolled in schools offering full Croatian-language education, while 66 new students have joined Croatian-language classes in secondary schools.