Access to success

Description

The project "Access to success" aims to contribute to reducing the degree of school dropout in the intervention areas targeted by the project through a program of integrated educational measures and individual counseling for children in situations of risk of abandonment. The target groups are represented by 100 children with special educational needs (ESCs) and 880 children at risk of dropping out of school aged between 10 and 16 years who are part of vulnerable groups (based on ethnicity, disability and /or special educational requirements, socio-economic status of families, residence environment or school performance). The project will take place in 12 schools (8 in Sibiu County and 4 in Mures County) in the Center Region, for a period of 30 months and will implement a package of measures on the school-community component, which envisages the provision of formal ("school after school" programme,  educational and vocational counselling, entrepreneurship skills) and non-formal (arts workshops, sport activities, healthy lifestyle) support educational services and medical services (medical check-ups) to children. It is aimed at increasing the school participation by at least 10% of a number of 400 children from the primary target group and increasing the transition rate in higher school education (ninth grade) by 1.5% during the implementation of the project. Through the complementary measures, the project will also benefit classmates of the primary target group who are not at risk, as well as 400 parents (parental education) and 100 teachers from the participating schools (training). Norwegian partners USN NO InnoVius will facilitate the transfer of expertise on inclusive education and entrepreneurship by developing training materials, train teachers and hosting study visits.  

Summary of project results

The "Access to Success" project was designed to tackle several key issues related to school dropout rates among vulnerable children in Sibiu and Mureș counties. The main challenges addressed were:

• High dropout rates - the project targeted children at risk of early school leaving, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN), ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, and those from low-income families;
• Educational inequalities - a significant gap in educational participation and achievement existed between rural and urban areas, with rural students being at higher risk of abandonment;
• Inadequate teaching strategies - many teachers lacked the necessary training to support students with diverse educational needs, leading to disengagement and poor academic performance;
• Limited parental involvement - parents often lacked awareness and resources to support their children''s education, exacerbating the risk of dropout;
• Social exclusion and discrimination - students from disadvantaged backgrounds faced segregation and a lack of tailored educational support, further increasing their risk of academic failure.

To address these challenges, the project implemented an integrated approach across three levels: students, teachers, and parents.

• Formal and non-formal educational activities in all 12 associated schools for 880 children at risk of school dropout and 100 children with SEN;
  • Psychological and social counseling;
  • Training on inclusive teaching methods and modern pedagogical strategies and workshops on combating discrimination and promoting diversity in the classroom for 83 teachers;
  • Workshops and training sessions (topics covered included parenting styles, conflict resolution, and child motivation, legal aspects of anti-discrimination and school-family collaboration for 400 parents;
  • 20 teachers took part in an experience-sharing program in Norway included school visits and discussions on education, focusing on dropout rates and disadvantaged groups. It helped improve the organizational culture of schools in Sibiu and Mureș by adapting Norwegian management models;
  • 172 students participated in activities to learn the basics of entrepreneurship and prepared projects for the "Young Entrepreneur" competition; The winning team of the Young Entrepreneur competition participated in the visit to Norway.

The project achieved significant positive outcomes for its beneficiaries: increased school attendance, improved academic performance and retention, better teacher preparedness, stronger parental involvement, reduction in social exclusion.

By implementing a holistic and multi-dimensional approach, the project successfully addressed the root causes of school dropout. It created a sustainable impact for students, teachers, and families, improving educational participation, academic success, and social inclusion. The project serves as a model for educational intervention programs aimed at reducing dropout rates and promoting equal opportunities for all children, regardless of background.

Summary of bilateral results

The Romanian-Norwegian bilateral cooperation optimized the managerial strategies of partner schools, developed school entrepreneurship through practical activities, improved the linguistic and social skills of students and teachers, while also providing sustainable educational resources for preventing school dropout. It benefited from the expertise of the Norwegian partner, who facilitated the exchange of best practices and supported the implementation of innovative methods, ensuring the project''s long-term continuity and impact.The Norwegian partner provided expertise in inclusive education and institutional management, facilitating the transfer and adaptation of best practices to the realities of Romanian schools.