Description
The municipality of Bontida Commune has a population of 4856 inhabitants, of which approximately 20% are Roma. In general, Roma children achieve lower grades in school due to their exposure to social exclusion at very early age. Children at risk have multiple problems: school dropouts, difficulty in reading, writing and numeracy. The project aims to implement an educational inclusive program for 84 children, 20 young people in risk situations, most of them Roma, and 50 parents from vulnerable families. The benefits will consist of mentoring, counseling, social and cultural joint activities, remedial education, hygiene and contraception education, career counseling and literacy classes.This initiative is intended primarily to keeping children in the state education system at least until the end of compulsory education (year 10), in order to increase their access to jobs.
Summary of project results
Bonțida Commune, Cluj County, has a significant Roma population, of at least 20%, according to official data. According to a social survey carried out by the project partner, indicated the poor school performance of children at risk, especially of Roma children, consisting in absenteeism, lack of reading/writing/understanding skills, lack of discipline etc. Also, Roma children finishing the lower secondary school do not register for highschool. The causes of the described situation reside in lack of jobs for family members, or jobs by the day or without papers, numerous family members, resulting in poor living conditions, lack of hygiene. Many community members do not have identification documents. Lacking parents supervision, many Roma girls give birth at a very early age, of 12-17 years old, 10 cases being identified at the time of the need analysis. The project aimed to promote inclusive education in Bontida Commune, providing access to compulsory education and continous vocational training. Day Centre “Ștefan Emilian” has been equipped by the project. 158 children, out of which 120 Roma, have received integrated support measures: mentoring activities (educational support) for children at risk of school abandonment, remedial education for children who had already left the educational system, summer school, psychological counselling, educational and vocational guidance, social counselling, sanitary education, socio-cultural activities. 27 children, out of which 22 Roma, have benefited from social counselling, educational and vocational guidance, hygiene and contraception education, training workshops for young mothers. A number of 90 parents, out of which 74 Roma, have benefited from social counselling, consisting in information on social rights, facilitation of contact with various institutions etc. A number of 40 specialists and volunteers, out of which 4 Roma, have been trained in learning therapy. The project contributed to prevention of school abandonment and facilitation of access to formal and continuous vocational training for children and youth from Bontida Commune, along with the set up of a quality integrated services system.
Summary of bilateral results