The implementation of the project "Let's exchange some skills!" is fully in line with the European Development Plan of our school and in accordance with the Strategic Development Plan of the partner school. Both schools emphasize the connection of theory with practice, the connection of school with life. Schools need to improve and expand the competences of pupils and teachers. They are looking for new methods, models of good practice, materials and technologies to improve and modernize teaching. The project makes it possible to link the training of pupils to practice and improve the quality of teaching. It engages schools in European cooperation in tourism and gastronomy. It helps to establish a new partnership which empowers the necessary exchange of experience, contact with the latest trends connected with teaching and practice in Europe. The project aims to: 1) improve quality and efficiency of pupils' education and training 2) contribute to the development of pupils 'and teachers' professional knowledge, skills and competences and to their personal development 3) enable pupils to experience valuable foreign experience, develop human relationships, and align the abilities of school graduates with employers' requirements 4) increase the employability of graduates in the labor market 5) support teacher training 6) facilitate the exchange of practice 7) support humane and empathetic people active in tourism and gastronomy 8) start cooperation with partners in the field of tourism and gastronomy, gain new experience and support further improvement of the quality of teaching at school. The project has a total of 14 main activities that will be carried out equally in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Twelve activities are planned for pupils; two activities are planned for teachers. 1. In March 2021, May 2021, November 2021 and February 2022, short-term exchanges of 6 days will be realized at the same period of time. The activities will be attended by 16 pupils from the 2nd grade and 16 pupils from the 3rd grade in the study field of Cook, Waiter-Waitress and Confectioner in equal numbers from Spojená škola in Modrý Kamen and the Secondary Industrial, Hotel and Health School in Uherské Hradiště. In September 2021 and March 2022, short-term exchanges of 6 days will be realized at the same period of time, with the participation of 4 pupils from the 2nd grade and 4 pupils from the 3rd grade of the Business Academy - Regional Tourism Management from Spojená škola in Modrý Kamen and 4 pupils from the 2nd grade and 4 pupils from the 3rd grade of the Hotel and Tourism Department of the Secondary Industrial, Hotel and Medical School in Uherské Hradiště. The content of the activity is the participation of pupils in the direct teaching of vocational subjects, participation in practical training with the partner, leisure activities, participation in local project activities and additional events to familiarize with history, culture and habits of the towns of Modrý Kameň and Uherské Hradište and their surroundings. 2. In June 2021, 8 teachers of vocational subjects and vocational training are planning to participate on a training of 4 days duration. The training will take place in Modrý Kamen and its surrounding. The topic of the first training is Practice Company - business inspiration, business plan, and business budget, resources for starting a business, market research, marketing, promotion, registration, and communication. The topic of the second training is vineyard in Slovakia - soil types, agro-technology, bio-vineyards, protection of vines in organic viticulture and vine breeding. In October 2021, 8 teachers of vocational subjects and vocational training are planning to participate on a training of 4 days duration. The training will take place in Uherské Hradište. The topic of the first training is agrotourism focused on regional foodstuff of the Zlín region - acquaintance with foodstuff from the section of fatty, dairy, bakery and confectionery products, alcoholic and soft drinks, fruit and vegetables and other products. The topic of the second training is viticulture in Moravia and the Czech Republic - vine breeding, secondary vine products, self-sufficiency of the viniculture. The outcome of the project is to support 48 pupils and 16 teachers who gain foreign experience, new knowledge, skills and competencies in professional, personal and intercultural areas. The impact of traineeships on participants will also be captured through the Europass Mobility and Vocational Training Certificate. We will disseminate the results freely in order to promote mobility and international cooperation. The project will also contribute to the popularization of vocational education, increasing interest in vocational education in the field of tourism and gastronomy and increasing the prestige of both schools. The practice will be included in school curricula and thematic plans for vocational subjects and vocational training.
The implementation of the project "Let's exchange smartness!" was fully in accordance with the European school development plan and in accordance with the strategic development plan of partner school. The Covid19 pandemic significantly influenced the implementation of the project. Project coordinators had to adapt activities and also the composition of students and departments, because the project was written in 2020 and the actual implementation of the activities did not begin until 2022. Both schools, Spojená škola in Modrý Kameň and SŠPHZ in Uherské Hradiště, put emphasis on the connection between theory and practice, the connection between school and life. Thanks to the project, both schools were able to improve and expand the students' competences which was evident during the first days after returning from mobility. The students were able to present themselves more boldly and confidently during their lessons. Teachers use new methods, samples of good practice, materials and technologies for the improvement and modernization of teaching. During the exchange stays, the vocational training of students was connected with practice and the quality of teaching increased not only during practice but also of theoretical teaching, when students were able to respond more promptly to teachers' suggestions thanks to cross-border cooperation in the field of tourism and gastronomy. We consider the new partnership to be exceptional, which gave us not only the necessary exchange of experience, contact with the latest trends, connection of teaching with European practice, but brought us strong, friendly relationships between pupils, teachers and masters who participated in the exchange. A strong bond was also created during the project meetings when the coordinators and management of both schools exchanged their experiences. Therefore, after the end of the project, nothing is finished and we are planning further cooperation.