More information
Description
Low civic engagement rates in Bulgaria are mainly due to both structural factors and cultural models handed down between generations. The project aims at creating a tool for civic education and media literacy for students from 5th to 12th grade (including students from Roma origin). A methodology will be developed covering 1) search for objective information when opinions and positions, rational argumentation and critical attitude to sources of information are formed; 2) communication culture with mutual listening and openness to the other’s opinion, identification of collective interests, reaching compromise decisions; 3) democratic values, including tolerance, pluralism as well as sense of empowerment and responsibility for the social and political processes in the country; 4) methods of interaction between trainers - schools and learners, involvement and sharing of responsibilities. While under development, the tool will be applied in partner schools, tested and updated. Trainers will involve students in small-scale projects initiated with their support on various topics. The project will create opportunities for students to be proactive, critical, have knowledge and positions on current publicly important topics, stimulating their civic awareness. The outcomes will be summed up in a report which will be made available to the public and submitted to the Regional Inspectorate of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science to help integrate civic education in the learning and growing up of young people. Teachers from 3 schools will be trained.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to increase the level of civic participation of students from 5th to 12th grade by developing and integrating in school a tool for civic education and media literacy.
Students were involved in many training activities related to increase civic education and media literacy. The project continued with initiated by the students and implemented by them small projects on specific topics. These activities created a real opportunity to students to be proactive, critical, with knowledge and position on current important social topics that stimulate civic their awareness.
Sustainability: Within the project we developed a specific tool - Methodology for creative and practical civic education of students who have completed their primary level of education.
We conducted 10 thematic trainings among 120 students of predominantly Roma origin, and instead of 3 schools, we reached 4. After the trainings we achieved we have increased the civic activity and initiative among the students and they implemented four small student projects instead of the planned three.
In the last 5 years the Association has worked with students from 5 local schools thus the developed project materials, including the methodology for civic education, were present the to all institutions and organizations in Lovech municipality and to expand the scope of activities. The inclusion of the fourth school as an associate partner was essential for the multiplier project’s effect.
The developed tool for civic education and media literacy will continue to be used in the activities of the Association as well as to work with young people from the town of Lovech and in other partner schools.
There is permanent access to the developed tool Methodology for creative, practical civic education of students who have completed their primary level of education as it is published on the website of the Association as follows: https: www.sgilovech.com in section resources / presentations. It allows a wide range of stakeholders to apply the methodology and to integrate it in their work with the young people, which will help to multiply the project results among the community as a whole.