Description
School - a chance for all children - is a project of the "Conexiuni" Association. The objective of this project is to amend the study conditions for children who come from disadvantaged environments by improving the learning process. The learning process will be based on personal development, from an inclusive educational point of view. Direct beneficiaries: 40 children in pre-school with communication issues( as they are native Romani language speakers) who will join "Summer kindergarten", 240 students from primary and gymnasium school - with major risk in abandoning school, participants in the "School after school" program. Indirect beneficiaries: the parents of all the 280 children from the main target group, teachers, the local community. Results: providing communication skills in Romanian language for all 40 preschool children who speak Romani and making them enroll to kindergarten 100% in the school year 2014-2015.240 students with real learning progress, exam passing rate enhanced with 5%, school abandon reduced, teachers satisfied with the children's progress.
Summary of project results
Implementing this project was a process fuelled by the desire to obtain a change of attitude towards school and education in the traditional Roma communities from Timboiesti, Chiojdeni, Slobozia Bradului in Vrancea County and increase the engagement of family members in their children's development and educational progress, making sure they attend school regularly and they graduate. After the project was implemented a series of changes were reported, like the decrease of dropout generating factors. Also, a psycho-behavioural optimisation of schooling was noticed, due to group activities and art therapy methods. Self-esteem, self-awareness and interpersonal communication were also reported among the targeted group. The project supported the access to remedial educational services for 240 Roma students that were actively involved in "School after school" activities and counselling services for 500 parents and students. Also, a series of summer kindergarten activities for 40 preschool children were implemented. Through these activities, three partner schools (from Timboiesti, Slobozia Bradului and Chiojdeni) developed a methodology for remedial activities, managing to reduce the distance between the Roma families and school as well as to make parents acknowledge the importance of education and increase class attendance. Through the activities “Summer kindergarten", "School after school" and "Counselling for parents" the project improved the interethnic dialogue and Roma participation in the educational process, changing mentalities and strengthening self-esteem for pre-schoolers, pupils and Roma women. The changing attitude of men towards women and children inside the family can be observed, especially in Slobozia Bradului, where the number of Roma girls who follow secondary education is increasing. In the same time, teachers reported a better understanding of the cultural differences between Roma and non-Roma families, differences that can be overcome using inclusive education methods.
Summary of bilateral results