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Description
Need for the project: is apparent from the large number of children dropping out of school and which grows from year to year at, the local level, with 30% of the population being based on: migration of parents abroad 10%,children from disadvantaged areas socio-economic,8%, children from poor families 12% and 40% of romas families. SO:1.Reducing the phenomenon of school dropout and increasing school performance for 645 students at risk of dropout from the Center and Northwest regions over a 24-month period; 2.Increasing the professional training of 49 professionals working with children at risk of early school leaving and children with ESCs over a 4-month period;3.Increasing community involvement in the process of promoting inclusive education and improving the school institution;Through the project, we aim to support inclusive education,offering the opportunity for 645 children to participate in the educational process in a safe and professional environment through inclusive and remedial education.Creating an optimal alternative service model complementing the formal education system to meet needs, preventing early school leaving and increasing school performance.GT:635 children and young people at risk of school dropout and 10 children with special educational requirements; 170 parents / tutors of children and young people in the target group; 49 people in education working with children and young people in the target group; 16 professionals/volunteers in the sphere of social services, care oferă servicii copiilor și tinerilor în principalele grupuri țintă. The role of partners is also to implement in their region this system of school dropout prevention for 240 children.Results:10 children or young people with special educational needs and 635 children received support services;41 trained teachers;170 parents received support;1 Manual for Inclusive Education and Personal Development developed and edited; 3 Conferences;10 support groups for teachers.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the critical need to reduce early school leaving among children and youth, especially in rural areas and Roma communities. In Romania, 23.6% of youth aged 18–24 who completed no more than lower secondary education were not enrolled in any form of education or training—the highest rate in Europe. Dropout rates were significantly higher in grades I–II and V–VI. Children from poor households were 2.3 to 3.1 times more likely to abandon school. In selected schools from Alba, Bihor, and Mureș counties, high numbers of students came from vulnerable backgrounds, including 470 Roma children and 476 students at risk of school dropout.
The project targeted 16 disadvantaged communities (75% rural, 25% urban) where dropout rates were high, “School after School” programs were missing, and families lacked resources. A total of 645 children at risk benefited from structured educational support, including tutoring sessions, educational and recreational activities, and hot meals provided four days a week for 16 months. Two day centers and 17 learning groups were established in schools.
The intervention also addressed the needs of parents. They received counseling, information, and material support to increase awareness of the importance of education. A parental education program was developed and involved both teachers and parents from the target group.
The project also improved teacher preparedness. Forty-one teachers participated in three training sessions on preventing dropout, inclusive education, and remedial teaching methods. The training helped teachers better manage communication challenges with parents and children and improved their ability to work with students from poor or broken families, including those with behavioral difficulties or whose parents worked abroad.
To ensure long-term impact, the project created a balanced model of formal and non-formal education. It built a support structure that improved academic performance, increased school attendance, and prevented dropout. The project directly supported the call''s objectives by ensuring access to quality, inclusive education adapted to the needs of each child. Through these efforts, the project laid the foundation for sustainable educational inclusion in underserved communities.
The project achieved significant outcomes in improving the educational situation of vulnerable children, primarily those at risk of school dropout, from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Central and North-West regions of Romania. By creating 17 "after-school" groups, the project helped 645 children (including 19 with special educational needs) overcome educational gaps and provided them with the support needed to stay in school. The activities included remedial education, vocational guidance, and extracurricular engagement, which helped children build essential skills.
One of the project’s key results was the reduction in school dropout rates. Through inclusive education and individualized support, many children who were at risk of abandoning their education due to socio-economic hardships or family issues improved academically. Specifically, the project ensured that 434 children participated in remedial sessions, addressing gaps in subjects like Romanian, mathematics, and Hungarian. Furthermore, the project helped 177 students through individual and group counseling, focusing on career planning, personal responsibility, and stress management .
In addition, the project supported teachers and school staff, training 51 educators in inclusive educational practices and working with children at risk. Parents were also engaged through 197 counseling sessions, raising awareness about the importance of education and providing family support .
Long-term impacts include the sustainability of the "after-school" groups, which will continue to operate beyond the project''s funding period. The project''s influence extended beyond its direct beneficiaries, creating a network of trained professionals, including teachers, counselors, and social workers, who will continue to serve children in need . The partnerships developed between schools and local authorities further ensure the continuity of these efforts, fostering a long-term commitment to education inclusivity and reducing dropout rates.
These achievements demonstrate the project''s success in creating a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children, ensuring their continued education and future integration into the workforce.
The project "Through Education to Vocation" achieved significant long-term impact for its primary beneficiaries, mainly children from vulnerable backgrounds, including those from socio-economically disadvantaged families, ethnic minorities (especially Roma), and children at risk of school abandonment. The project focused on providing education, vocational orientation, and remedial activities to support these children in overcoming their challenges and integrating successfully into the educational system.
Initially, many of the schools involved faced high dropout rates, particularly in rural areas. For example, 30% of primary school students were at risk of dropping out due to factors such as parental migration, lack of financial resources, and socio-economic hardships. The project aimed to reduce these figures and provide alternative educational paths, particularly focusing on vocational education. One key result was the active participation of 645 children in remedial and vocational training activities, enhancing their educational outcomes and offering them a better chance to continue their education.
Through the project''s interventions, there was an observable increase in student engagement. Children who were previously at risk of dropout participated in extracurricular activities, such as environmental awareness events and community-building exercises. These activities not only increased their academic interest but also fostered a sense of belonging and community involvement. Over 90% of participants reported that such initiatives were their first opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, which helped boost their self-esteem and motivation to learn.
Moreover, the project also had an important focus on family involvement. Individual counseling sessions for parents of children at risk of abandonment helped to raise awareness about the importance of education and motivated families to support their children''s educational journey. The project introduced a sustainable support system for both the students and their families, ensuring that the improvements in education continued beyond the project''s end.
In terms of educational achievements, there was a marked improvement in school attendance and performance, especially in the vocational education stream. The project''s focus on career counseling and vocational training helped students see the value of continuing education and entering the workforce with a relevant skillset. These results aligned with the project''s original goals of reducing school abandonment and increasing educational integration.
In conclusion, the project succeeded in creating lasting changes for children in vulnerable communities. By addressing their educational and socio-economic needs, the project not only reduced dropout rates but also provided these children with the tools to succeed in their personal and professional lives. The methods and materials introduced, such as vocational education techniques and family counseling, will continue to benefit future students, ensuring the project''s legacy. The involvement of local schools and authorities ensures the sustainability of these efforts moving forward.
This long-term impact will be visible through continued engagement and the integration of educational and vocational strategies within local educational systems.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner Newschool Norway, an educational design agency, organized and conducted an online training course on inclusive and vocational education. Eighteen representatives from the Lead Partner and other project partners participated, including school directors, teachers, school counselors, and psychologists. During the five days of training, they explored educational techniques specific to the Norwegian model, applicable in Romanian schools, as well as experimental learning methods for personal development and group cohesion among teachers. Guided by the Newschool Norway trainer, participants had the opportunity to explore together how to facilitate creative exercises that enhance children''s motivation and inspire creativity. A brochure containing Norwegian vocational education methods was also created and published online.