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Description
According to Eurostat reports, at the end of 2015, Romania has one of the highest percentages of early school leaving among EU countries. Early school leaving is linked to unemployment, social exclusion, poverty and poor health. The project aims to increase school attendance and the percentage of children from gymnasium level that progress to high school in 32 supported schools from 24 counties of Romania, by involving children at risk in integrated sporting and outdoor activities. The main target group consists of 2,600 children at risk of early school leaving and of social exclusion generated by their economic situation or by disability (of which 520 Roma and 260 with special needs), distributed nationwide in the 8 regions of Romania and selected from the lower secondary educational cycle. The project targets also 760 specialists working directly with the main target group and 800 parents (315 Roma). The project will cover the duration of a full school cycle of 4 years.
The main activities include:
- 3 studies on social exclusion mechanisms in target areas;
- 4 specific methodologies for social and educational inclusion based on sport;
- inclusive activities based on sport, counselling and guidance sessions for children at risk;
- non-formal education for specialists;
- counselling and support tools for parents;
- 4 experience exchanges with the Norway partner.
The project will help increase with 1% the transition rate to high school level education in the supported schools. Also, 2600 children at risk will receive support services, out of which 1000 children will increase their school attendance with 10%; 760 teachers will be trained and 800 parents will receive counselling on supporting the educational integration of children. The project is implemented in partnership with Norwegian School for Sport Sciences, a Norwegian University with extensive expertise in educational integration, who will facilitate access to good practices and specific methodologies.
Summary of project results
In Romania, the early school leaving among children is a prominent phenomenon, that leads directly to unemployment, social exclusion, poverty, poor health and impacts both the individual children as well as the communities. Two main challenges manifest at national level in this regard: the school abandonment and the low rate of transition from ISCED 2 (lower secondary education) to ISCED 3 (upper secondary education) in the educational system.
The project aimed to improve the school attendance through integrated activities based on sport.
Sports activities not only improve students'' physical and mental health but also foster teamwork, discipline, and motivation to continue their studies. By integrating these activities into school programs, students feel more connected to the school community, increasing their chances of developing essential skills for long-term success.
The project developed a strategy and an action plan for preventing and reducing discrimination, social exclusion, and school dropout through sports activities with children, as well as a methodology for sustainable education and social integration based on sports activities for children at risk of social exclusion, including those with disabilities.
Over nearly four and a half years, more than 3,500 students from 59 schools across the country have participated in various sports activities. Many of them also benefited from counselling for personal development and received a hot lunch and a kit with sporting equipment (clothing, footwear, ball etc). Additionally, over 850 students at risk of dropping out took part in camps organized at the seaside and in the mountains, where they acquired sports skills and valuable life lessons. The schools have received sets of sport equipment (balls, mattresses, game accessories etc).
At the same time, over 1,200 teachers and education specialists were trained to use inclusive teaching and counselling methods, and 2,268 parents were educated on how to support their children in their educational journey
As a result of project implementation, the rate of transition to higher secondary education (9th grade) (ISCED 3) in supported schools has increased with 10.47%, reaching 86.74%.
Other notable results have been obtained in the various areas of school participation: 944 children have decreased their number of absences, have improved the school results and the conduct grades; 567 children have improved their abilities for school integration, have improved relational skills that led to the decrease of aggressive behaviors, have increased participation in extra-curricular activities while maintaining the same level of school attendance.
The public policy developed in the project as a result of a consultative process that included key stakeholders from national and local level in the field of education has been submitted to the Ministry of Education.
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefitted from a solid bilateral component, given the partnership with the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NSS).The Norwegian partner contributed to the project results at several levels.On the one hand, NSS has contributed to the development of the project key intellectual outputs - a strategy, an action plan and two methodologies for educational integration through sport of children at risk of school living and children with special education needs. These outputs have been translated into English and will be applied by the partner in its own activities.On the other hand, the Norwegian partner has contributed to the development of the knowledge and skills of 58 teachers and education experts from Romania, by hosting 7 study visits in Norway. Also, 10 experts of the Norwegian partner participated in various activities in Romania, such as summer and winter camps with children at risk of early school living, contributing to the methodology for non-formal education activities taking place in the camps.The PP and the Norwegian partner have also participated in various public events (sport science congress, project opening, mid-term and final evaluation conferences).Following the good collaboration in the project, the partners have agreed to continue the collaboration in the future.