One hundred and ten young people from the Hradec Králové Region received the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE) on Thursday 13 February in the large auditorium of the University of Hradec Králové. 96 participants of the programme received the bronze level certificate and 14 received the silver level certificate.
"The DofE programme is a great opportunity for young people to improve their skills, overcome challenges and build healthy self-esteem. I am pleased that more and more schools and organisations in our region are getting involved and that we can support these activities together," said Deputy Governor Jana Berkovcová, Education.
There are a total of 24 DofE centres in the Hradec Králové Region and last year 383 primary and secondary school pupils, members of sports clubs or children from children's homes took part in the programme focused on leisure activities. Each participant chose activities in four areas according to their interests: developing skills in a variety of subjects, developing physical fitness, volunteering or completing an expedition in an unfamiliar environment. The length of the chosen activity depends on the level chosen (bronze, silver, gold).
Getting to know pupils beyond the classroom
For example, at the Business Academy, the Secondary Vocational School and the Language School with the right to take the State Language Examination, Heda Lambertová leads the dofáky and dofačky. "It gives me the opportunity to get to know pupils outside the classroom, to follow their progress and personal growth, which makes me very happy," says the head of the DofE.
"At the same time, participating in the programme allows me to collaborate with other leaders, share experiences and inspire each other. And of course there is the planning and execution of the expeditions - it's a big responsibility, but also great fun. The time spent in nature also gives me energy for my regular teaching work."
At the same school Ema Blanka Brychtová fulfilled the bronze level. "Thanks to the DofE I found out that I am not as big an introvert as I thought. On the expedition I was so scared of going on a trip with girls I'd never met and quite possibly we had nothing in common. But the opposite was true, I didn't stop talking the whole expedition."
About the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE)
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme supports the comprehensive development of skills and abilities in young people. It is delivered to more than 1.3 million young people a year from 140 countries. The programme has been running in the Czech Republic since 1995.
