Andrija is a virtual assistant of the Fra Andrija Kačić Miošić High School, designed to facilitate access to information

In today’s modern educational environment, schools are increasingly relying on digital channels to communicate with students, parents, and the wider community. However, the large amount of information on websites, the lack of personalized support, and frequently asked repetitive questions can confuse users and make it difficult for them to find accurate and up-to-date information.

Parents and students often seek answers to questions such as:

• When is enrollment and what documents are required?
• What educational programs does the school offer?
• Who should be contacted for specific issues, such as the school library or the code of conduct?
• How to access certain resources (e.g., State Matura, eDiary, Matura preparation materials)?

For these reasons, there emerged a need for a digital assistant – the chatbot Andrija – which helps users easily, quickly, and conveniently find important information. This reduces the burden on school staff and enhances the school’s level of digital communication.

The problem affects several key groups. Students (both current and prospective) often struggle to navigate the large amount of information on the school website, while parents have questions about procedures, deadlines, and regulations, and are not always digitally skilled. School staff spend too much time responding to repetitive inquiries, while visitors and the local community want quick and clear access to basic information about the school. All of these groups benefit from an efficient digital solution that simplifies access to information. 

The problem arises from several factors. School administration and leadership are responsible for public communication, but unclear or outdated websites can confuse users. Administrative staff and teachers often lack the time to respond to all inquiries, even though such responses are expected of them. Technical support and website maintenance also play a key role, as poorly organized websites can make it difficult for users to find information. The education system and the Ministry lack a standardized solution for digital communication, forcing schools to seek innovative solutions on their own. Finally, users (students and parents) are not always ready to adopt new digital tools, which further complicates the situation. 

The problem is significant because it affects all participants in the school system on a daily basis – from students and parents to teachers – causing loss of time, frustration, and limited access to essential information. 

On the path to solving this problem, there are obstacles such as limited technical resources and expertise, as well as resistance to change and new technologies among some school staff and users. 

It is important to solve this problem because it improves communication and access to information, eases the workload of school staff, increases student and parent satisfaction, and presents the school as a modern, open, and accessible educational institution. 

Chatbot Andrija addresses this problem by providing quick and accurate answers to frequently asked questions, reducing the need for direct contact with administrative staff, and helping users easily find information about enrollment, study programs, schedules, and school procedures. This frees up time for teachers and staff, while giving students and parents simple, 24/7 access to essential information. You can view the conversation flow diagram here:

https://www.mermaidchart.com/raw/1b2d71f9-d4a8-4dfc-8d4e-9ccb77875b90?theme=light&version=v0.1&format=svg