Ninety-seven young people from the Pardubice Region received the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, DofE for short, yesterday at the House of Music in Pardubice. The non-formal education programme is for people aged 13 to 24. It has been running in the Czech Republic since 1995.
"I would like to thank all the teachers, principals and headmasters of schools in the Pardubice Region for accepting the idea of DofE and for developing it more and more in our country. I am glad that it is thriving here and it obviously feels like home. For me, it is a wonderful answer for what we said five years ago and signed solemnly in the Council Chamber as a commitment for the future. I am very happy for that. To all of you who are reaching the level of whether bronze, silver, later gold, I keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't just end with an award, a badge, but that it brings what the idea of the DofE is all about, which is that your life will be that much richer in the future," said Councillor for Education Josef Kozel in his opening remarks.
The young people received their awards at the House of Music for bronze and silver level. Each participant in the programme chooses a skill, sport and volunteer activity according to their interest. They then dedicate themselves to these for several months. They must also complete a team expedition.
"DofE is an opportunity for every young person to find determination, to train perseverance, to conquer the fears that can hinder success. The DofE does not discriminate. It is open to all and levels the starting line for young people from different backgrounds," says Gabriela Drastichová, Director of the Czech office of the International Prize.
439 young people from the Pardubice Region joined the DofE last year
In the Pardubice Region, a total of 439 primary and secondary school pupils, members of sports clubs or children from children's homes were involved in the programme last year. In total, there are already 19 DofE centres in the Pardubice Region and this network is being expanded every year by more schools.
Patricie Krenarová from the Gymnasium, Business Academy and Language School in Svitavy with the right to take the state language examination also received a certificate and a badge for the silver level. In movement she set a goal to last two minutes in plank, in skill she learned to cook ten new dishes. And as a volunteer, she helped with the running of the Svitavy Charity.
"Thanks to the DofE, I realised that if I set clear goals and actively work towards them, I can achieve almost anything. The same applies to the final expedition, where I discovered that my limits lay further away than I had anticipated. In short, I feel that I am now more confident in many ways and I am not afraid to overcome the various obstacles that life throws at me."
According to Markéta Henychová, the head of the DofE, the Svitava secondary school got involved because it wants to support the development of its students not only in education but also in personal growth. The program brings me joy in their progress and gives me the opportunity to be a part of their success," said Markéta Henychová.
About the DofE programme
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme was founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956 to encourage the self-development of boys and girls regardless of their background, physical ability or skill. The programme was brought to the Czech Republic by golf champion Luisa Abrahams. Last year, over 8,800 young people across the country took part in the programme in nearly four hundred DofE centres. Nearly 900 volunteer DofE leaders - teachers, prevention officers, educators or coaches - accompanied them at 381 DofE centres.
