Active classroom for Roma population

Description

The overall goal of the project is to promote equal opportunities and integration of Roma children into CRO educational system. The specific goals are: to sensitize and involve the Roma community in the promotion of education; to promote participation and involvement between Roma families and the school; to provide support, information and assistance to Roma students in order to avoid nonattendance and drop out of school; to provide support at the transition between primary and secondary school. The support to students of 8th grade will be provided directly by Roma teaching assistants (male and female) who will, according to the needs of each student and the instructions of professional associates of the school: communicate with students daily (support in solving homework, monitoring teaching content, reminding of deadlines); communicate with parents (technical support, support in creating a schedule of daily activities); technical support (support for students and parents in the installation and use of applications). In this way, we will provide Roma students with support in completing primary education, motivate them to continue their education, sensitize and involve the entire Roma families in promoting education. Furthermore, campaign to encourage inclusion in education aimed at parents and future high school students belonging to the Roma nationality, and the general public will be implemented. Both project partners, local Roma Association ROM HR (trust within Roma community and target Roma families) and local primary school (professional educational assistance to target students) have key role for successful implementation of the project and contribute with their expertize. No bilateral partners involved.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address several critical issues that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to the education of Roma children. These challenges include:

1. Educational Disparities and Inequities:

   • Limited Access to Online Education: Roma children, already facing barriers to education, were further disadvantaged during the pandemic due to a lack of appropriate resources for online learning. Many Roma families live in overcrowded conditions, where multiple generations share a small living space, and children do not have personal study areas or proper access to digital devices.
   • Parental Support and Technology Gap: In many cases, Roma parents are not familiar with technology or have limited skills in supporting their children''s remote learning, such as helping with homework or submitting assignments online. This made it even harder for Roma children to participate in online education, with reports indicating that over 50% of Roma students were not regularly attending online classes.
   • Difficulty with Secondary School Enrollment: Roma students also faced difficulties with enrolling in secondary schools, as they often relied on school professionals for support in the process, and with the closure of schools, these students lacked the necessary assistance.

2. Systemic Issues in Roma Education:

   • Irregular School Attendance and Low Graduation Rates: Even before the pandemic, Roma children struggled with irregular school attendance and low rates of completion of basic education. The lack of support from educational professionals who work with Roma children has been a major barrier to improving educational outcomes.
   • Social Exclusion and Integration: The project also aimed to reduce social exclusion and promote the integration of Roma children into the broader Croatian educational system, addressing long-standing issues with discrimination and exclusion that the Roma community faces.

3. Lack of Support for Roma Children’s Educational Success:

   • Need for Targeted Support: The project aimed to provide targeted support for 8th-grade Roma students from the "Josip Rimac" Roma settlement, helping them successfully complete their primary education and motivating them to pursue secondary school. This support was seen as essential in combating the existing inequalities in educational opportunities for Roma children and fostering their long-term integration into Croatian society.

4. Raising Awareness Among the Roma Community:

   • Engagement with Families: The project sought to establish communication between Roma families and schools, raising awareness about the importance of education within the Roma community. This effort was intended to contribute to preventing discrimination and stigma against the Roma community.
   • Volunteer and Activist Involvement: The project also aimed to involve Roma volunteers and activists to strengthen the community''s capacity and encourage more active and responsible civic engagement from the Roma population.

5. Gender-Specific Challenges for Romani Women:

   • Discrimination and Marginalization of Romani Women: The project recognized that Romani women are doubly disadvantaged due to discrimination based on both gender and ethnicity. As a response, the project also focused on employing a Romani assistant to help combat discrimination and improve the integration of particularly vulnerable groups, such as Romani women.

In summary, the project sought to address the educational challenges faced by Roma children, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also addressing broader issues of social exclusion, discrimination, and the lack of support for the Roma community in Croatia. The project focused on improving educational outcomes, fostering Roma community engagement, and promoting integration into the national educational system.

The project "Active Classroom for the Roma Population" carried out several key activities and achieved significant results:

Key Activities:

1. Support for Roma Students: The project provided tailored support to 15 Roma students, helping them successfully complete their primary education despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included addressing issues such as irregular attendance and lack of access to online learning resources, which were particularly problematic for Roma children.

2. Educational Guidance and Mentorship: The project involved close collaboration with the school’s educational staff, ensuring that teachers were equipped to support Roma students effectively. This was crucial for enabling the students to overcome obstacles to their education, such as a lack of parental support due to limited knowledge of technology or schooling systems.

3. Parental Engagement and Awareness: Parents were actively engaged in the project, with their participation being critical for motivating the children and fostering a positive attitude towards education. This was seen as key to building awareness of the importance of education within the Roma community and helping to shift cultural attitudes towards schooling.

4. Transition to Secondary Education: The project worked to facilitate the transition of Roma students to secondary education, an area where they traditionally face significant barriers. Thanks to the support provided, 13 of the 15 students enrolled in secondary school, ensuring they continued their education beyond primary school.

5. Community Integration and Equal Opportunities: The project emphasized creating equal opportunities for Roma children and combating social marginalization. By ensuring the successful completion of primary education and motivating the students to pursue secondary education, the project contributed to the social integration of Roma children into the wider Croatian society.

Outputs:

• Completion of Primary Education: All 15 participating Roma students successfully completed their primary education.
• Enrollment in Secondary School: Despite the challenges, 13 out of 15 students enrolled in secondary schools, marking a significant step forward in their educational journeys.
• Improved Communication with Educational Institutions: A strong partnership was established between Roma families, the students'' schools, and educational staff, which is expected to continue benefiting the education of Roma children in the future.
• Increased Parental Engagement: The project led to a significant increase in parental involvement in the education of their children, with parents actively participating in project activities and demonstrating a commitment to their children''s educational success.
• Raising Awareness of the Importance of Education: The project helped raise awareness within the Roma community about the importance of education as a pathway out of poverty and as a means of social integration.

Long-Term Impact:

• The project helped to break down barriers to education for Roma children, particularly by addressing systemic inequalities and encouraging both the students and their families to recognize the importance of education for social mobility.
• By establishing good communication between schools and Roma families, the project laid the groundwork for sustained improvements in the educational outcomes of Roma children.
• The project also contributed to reducing the social gap between Roma and the majority population, promoting greater integration of Roma people into Croatian society.

In summary, the project achieved its goal of supporting Roma children in completing their primary education and pursuing secondary school, while also fostering greater community engagement and awareness of the importance of education.

The project achieved significant outcomes, primarily benefiting Roma students, their families, teachers, and the broader community. The results and impacts are described as follows:

Key Outcomes and Impacts:

1. Increased Parental Engagement:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma parents and children.
   • The project successfully increased the number of Roma parents involved in their children''s education. Through improved communication between parents, teachers, and other stakeholders, parents were better informed about the importance of their children''s education. This shift in engagement helped prevent early school dropout and encouraged parents to actively participate in their children’s learning process.

2. Enhanced Educational Outcomes for Roma Children:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma children.
   • The education of Roma children improved due to greater collaboration between teachers, parents, and the community. By addressing the specific needs of Roma children—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—the project helped increase their school attendance and academic achievement. This was especially critical in preventing early educational interruptions, a common issue for Roma children due to various socio-economic challenges.

3. Teacher Awareness and Support:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma children and teachers.
   • Teachers and school staff were sensitized to the unique challenges faced by Roma children, especially during the pandemic. This increased understanding helped foster a more supportive educational environment where Roma students'' needs were better understood and addressed. It also strengthened communication between teachers and the families of Roma students, allowing for more effective collaboration.

4. Community Awareness and Advocacy:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma community and broader society.
   • The project increased awareness of the educational challenges faced by Roma children within the broader community. A public forum was organized to sensitize local residents, particularly in the "Josip Rimac" Roma settlement, about the importance of education. The involvement of local media, including radio interviews with project representatives and Roma activists, helped amplify the message and further engage the public.

5. Promotion of Social Inclusion through Volunteering:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma individuals, particularly youth.
   • Two Roma volunteers were involved in the project, helping to promote social inclusion within the Roma community. These volunteers contributed to advocating for the needs of the community and fostering greater participation in educational and social activities. Their involvement also helped enhance the community''s sense of ownership and empowerment.

6. Improved Parent-Teacher Communication:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma children, parents, and teachers.
   • One of the critical outcomes was the creation of an improved communication channel between Roma parents and teachers. In the past, communication was often one-sided and ineffective, but the project fostered active, two-way communication. This collaboration created a supportive educational environment where both parents and teachers shared responsibility for the academic progress of Roma children.

7. Cultural and Value Shift:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma children, parents, and the community.
   • The project contributed to changing the perception of education among Roma families. Previously, many Roma viewed schools as places of basic care or burdens, but through the project, education was reframed as a key to escaping poverty and achieving social integration. This cultural shift is vital for long-term educational success and integration.

8. Sustained Efforts for Future Progress:

   • Beneficiaries: Roma children and families.
   • Although significant progress was made, the project highlighted the need for continued efforts to raise awareness about the importance of education at all levels (preschool, primary, and secondary). The partnership with RomHR (the project partner) has created opportunities for ongoing collaboration with the Roma community to address specific issues faced by Roma students and families.

Long-Term Impact:

• The project has made a significant impact on the educational trajectory of Roma children by improving parental involvement, enhancing teacher sensitivity, and increasing overall awareness in the community. It also fostered better collaboration between Roma families and schools, which is essential for the educational success of Roma children.
• The increased involvement of Roma parents and community members in the education of their children is expected to have a long-lasting effect on breaking the cycle of poverty and marginalization, contributing to greater social inclusion for the Roma population.

In summary, the project achieved substantial results in improving the educational outcomes of Roma children, strengthening the partnership between parents and teachers, and raising awareness within the broader community. These efforts are expected to have a lasting impact on the integration and social inclusion of Roma individuals in Croatian society.