Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

What can Pinocchio teach children about safety, trust and manipulation? In a primary school, in the village of Bardovci, the famous story became a powerful tool for helping children recognise the risks of trafficking and abuse through interactive learning and role play.

Third-grade children and their teachers took part in creative classroom activities inspired by the story of Pinocchio, adapted into educational scenarios aimed to raise awareness about the perils of child trafficking and abuse. The classroom scenarios piloted in Bardovci primary school enhanced school children’s understanding, sensitivity and sense of responsibility. Children were taught on discerning manipulation and abuse, and on effective protection strategies in interactive and innovative way.

Aleksandra Smilkovska, the School Director, emphasised the need to organise this type of educational activities more regularly, not only as part of the standard school programme, but also as part of school extracurricular activities. Professor Verica Trajkova, author of the classroom scenarios reiterated that empathy and genuine care for children can profoundly support those facing difficult life situations and help them reclaim their future. Children were vulnerable, because they were still developing and growing, many living in difficult economic and family situations.  

The “Pinocchio” classroom scenarios sparked a lively discussion among the participating teachers, who shared their experience, working with children and helping develop a safe climate for effective education. Indicators of child trafficking, prevention and reporting procedures in case of suspected child trafficking were also discussed.

The scenarios for the primary school children of I, II-IV, V and VI classes are available on PUBLICATIONS - Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje.

This event was organised by the action “Strengthening anti - trafficking action in North MacedoniaStrengthening anti - trafficking action in North Macedonia” Strengthening anti - trafficking action in North Macedoniapart of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.