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Description
Many schools from Suceava and Brasov counties are facing high school drop-out risk and children with special educational needs are amongst the vulnerable groups. Teachers other educational staff need to be trained to work with such children and the cooperation between schools and parents needs to be strengthened. The target group of this project consists of 500 children and young people with special educational needs and at risk of school dropout/ early school leaving and, 250 parents/ tutors and family members of the target group children, education staff works with the children or young people from the educational institutions in Suceava and Brasov County - 70 teachers. The project will provide: assessment, psycho-educational assistance, school and professional orientation of students, teacher training, parents and community members according to the principles of inclusive education. The project activities will help to increase the quality of educational services, develop a friendly and interactive school environment, through extra-curricular activities and education for health, hygiene and nutrition. As a result, the number of children at risk will be diminished by promoting inclusive education. The role of the partner, represented by CJRAE Brasov, is to ensure collaboration with the schools in Brasov County. In the long run we aim to develop good practice models for other schools in the two counties and to establish a constant professional relationship between CJRAE Suceava and CJRAE Braşov in order to promote inclusive education through innovative techniques.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to implement measures that would contribute to reducing school dropout rates in the counties of Suceava and Brașov.
One of the risks identified among children in these two counties, especially those from rural areas, is the risk of school dropout, particularly at the end of the eighth grade, in the context of difficult social conditions and learning difficulties, or caused by existing of disabilities. Low school attendance from an early age, and poor adaptation to the school environment have a long-term impact on the future of children and ultimately on the entire society. Statistical data show that a significant proportion of children from these categories are currently facing risks that expose them to a future of poverty or social exclusion, which often leads to school dropout.
Among the factors contributing to this phenomenon are: low parental income, limited access to educational services in isolated rural areas, the quality of educational processes and practices, and the lack of school counselors to help children in difficulty in the schools targeted by the project. Another identified issue regarding the integration of children with special educational needs is the lack of a differentiated school curriculum to support teachers working with students with special educational needs.
The project aimed to identify and develop measures for students, parents, and teachers to increase the social inclusion of young people and children in risk situations. Through the project, an integrated package of educational activities was provided, including: school counseling, activities for developing socio-emotional skills and self-esteem, non-formal education activities, and material support. Additionally, 70 teaching and managerial staff were trained to develop the necessary skills to work with children and young people at risk of school dropout or early school leaving.
As a result of the project''s implementation, over 800 children at risk of early school leaving received specialized support, including more than 300 children with special educational needs (SEN). Furthermore, over 500 parents of children with SEN and at risk of early school leaving also received support.
The project was a joint initiative of educational resource centers from two counties located in different development regions. The project proposed and implemented viable social intervention methods that were replicable at the level of both counties. The final beneficiaries of the cooperation between the two county institutions were both the children in general and the teaching staff, who, following the implementation of the project, received more effective tools to combat school dropout.