Increasing the school success of young Roma from socially excluded localities in the city of Brno

Project facts

Project promoter:
RATOLEST BRNO(CZ)
Project Number:
CZ-HUMANRIGHTS-0037
Status:
Completed
Other Project Partners
I CAN HELP YOU WITH IT(SK)
Primary school and kindergarten
Marhaut´s street 37(CZ)
TUKE.tv(CZ)

Description

In the Czech Republic, only 30% of Roma reach higher education than primary school and most leave secondary school at the beginning. Low education disqualifies Roma in their economic independence and the accumulation of acute problems reduces parents'' interest in the successful future of the young generation.

The goal is between 12/2021 and 01/2024 is to increase the chances of 200 Roma (5-26 years old in Brno) for quality education. We will provide them with support in the transition from pre-school education to primary school, during it, and in the transition to secondary school with intensive support in the first year. The Romani target group will strengthen their competencies in key areas of education, gain support in coping with school responsibilities, and will spend their free time developing and playing sports. An essential part of the project is the communication between program staff, TG, school, parents, social services and professionals. The project provides support for regular school attendance of children and pupils accompanied. We offer both services with partners. It helps school teachers to understand the specifics of Roma and social exclusion. We are establishing the position of coordinator of the "Program for Increasing School Success and Personal Development of Young Roma". He coordinates lecturers, and staff, communicates with schools, experts, and parents, and coordinates leisure events and collections for project evaluation.

Project activities are designed in accordance with the long-term strategy of the organization, are based on strategic documents and follow the conclusions of sociological studies GAC 2019, PAQ RESEARCH, CERGE EI.
Activities:
1) Pre-school education
2) School success program
3) Counseling for school selection and employment
4) Program of self-development and leisure
5) Effective communication between parents, school, NGOs, professionals and institutions
6) Management
7) Publicity 
8) Impact on TG
9) Escort of pupils

Summary of project results

The project responded to needs of Roma pupils, which we have been focusing on for a long time at
low-rise building Pavlač. It offered a wide range of activities, the school success of specific children/young
people was supported. The main problem was the reluctance to cooperate on the part of the
partner school and high turnover in the positions of activity lecturers and in the positions of the
project team and in Pavlač itself. Despite the challenges, final beneficiary successfully completed the project and
met its goals.

9 activities were implemented, the most important ones were (1)informal pre-school education, (2)selfdevelopment
and free time program,(3)increasing school success and (4)supporting the prevention
of school absence.
(1)It took place near the children''s homes and was therefore easily accessible to them. The readiness to start compulsory school
attendance is crucial for its successful completion. (2)It served to activate and practice social and
other skills. Children does not have the opportunity to develop them due to the unavailability of
extracurricular activities. Outing events, trips and ethno-emancipation activities were carried out in
cooperation with other organizations. (3)Included tutoring and informal teaching of IT skills, which
are also not normally available to clients. (4)Escorts to schools took place, in cooperation with CPS
and schools, in families that could not saturate this on their own. All the activities are important to
children and young people to successfully manage their duties and further development.

A total of 354 youngsters were involved in the project, i.e. 102 more than the original plan. 264
were involved in pre-school education and school success support. The evaluation of the project''s
outputs shows that more than 60% of preschoolers managed to increase their skills needed for
successful entry into compulsory schooling. Furthermore, more than 80% of the participating
primary school pupils have maintained or improved the skills and knowledge needed for successful
school attendance.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.