Description
There is a specific need of improvement of facilities and creation of condition for equal start in the kindergartens of Ruse Municipality. The overall objective is to create attractive facilities in 5 kindergartens, to introduce modern teaching methods for pre-school children preparation, to implement integrated approaches to work with children and parents through various forms of intercultural education and to achieve sustained convergence between children from different social groups in a multicultural environment integration. The project aims at creating equal opportunities for preschool and social inclusion of children at risk. The project will address this challenge by introduction of modern training programmes, interactive methods and informal education. The main target group is composed of children, aged 3-6 years old, including Roma. There is a secondary target group formed of parents, Roma mediators, educational staff etc. The partnership contributes to reducing economic and social disparities in the EEA by joint initiatives in the field of non-formal education as well as to providing durability and sustainability of the project.
Summary of project results
The Project BG06-243 “Equal access to children at risk to pre-school and intercultural education through attractive training, new approach and better kindergartens facilities in Ruse Municipality” achieved to its fullest extent the main objective namely: to improve conditions for Education and Childcare in five kindergartens under the project through construction, repair activities and modern educational methods for pre-school. The project answers from one side to the increased needs for renovation of buildings that is not refreshed with repairs and improvements over 30 years and modernization of facilities for pre-school education in kindergartens. On a second hand the project became transmission for introducing innovative early childhood education methods and taken the first steps of non-formal education for the target group - children and their parents. By a third party the project became a platform for training teachers to implement new educational approaches, unconventional practices and introduce a new form of relationship children-parents-teachers-community. All this has been achieved through out: Construction and repairs: replacement of windows, roof repairing and renovation of study halls and bathrooms in 3 kindergartens respectively named "Chickweed", "Red Riding Hood" and "Snow-White". Educational activities: modern methods of pre-school, innovative tools and elements of non-formal education, paying particular attention to disadvantaged children from different ethnic groups, active work with parents through various forms of intercultural education, creating 5 parents' clubs for sustained convergence of different social groups. The project has achieved and exceeded the set objectives and indicators and the most important are: the children from low-income families and various ethnic groups, who enrolled in pre-school group increased by 20% as a result of project; Children reintegrated into the education system increased by 5% as a result of the project; 500 children participated in 30 sessions with speech therapists and kinesiotherapy to improve speech and locomotor system. The result of the project is 30% better speaking skills and 25% better health status; 500 children and their parents used a legal, educational, psychological and health counseling, 360 of them participated in a summer school with a focus on eco-education and healthy lifestyle; More than 200 children involved programs to preservation of ethnic identity.
Summary of bilateral results
The project was implemented in partnership with two NGO’s from the Kingdom of Norway - Kongsberg Soroptimistklub, SI Union, and Peacepainting B.A.R.N. - Barn Av Regnbuen Norge - Terråk, who participated in educational exchanges through their representatives during the visit in Ruse city (30.11-5.12.2015.) and Kongsberg city in Norway (11-14.04.2016.). The partners have a basic role in activities in Norway and key role for achievement the aims, relevant to innovative educational practice. The educational exchange had achieved higher than expected levels of pedagogical competencies for work in a multicultural environment through shared practices between experts from both sides. The provided financial tools contribute to strengthened bilateral relations. Furthermore, the bilateral relations created under the project have exceeded repeatedly the goals and the expected results. Educators on both sides received specific skills and knowledge with much than expected broader scope. As a result, the most significant achievements of the project have spread to a wider public area, and modern educational practices have multiplied very quickly in other kindergartens that have not been the subject of the project. The collaboration between experts and municipal structures in Bulgaria and Kingdom of Norway has led to a higher level of pedagogical competencies for working in a multicultural environment, which is expressed in the following: Innovative teaching practices and innovative pre-school methods developed as result of bilateral relations are already being implemented in 10 kindergartens in Ruse city (50% of the total number of kindergartens) in the first year of the sustainability period yet. 8 kindergartens in Ruse city (40% of the total number of kindergartens) have already applied the Norwegian model to Childcare in the natural environment with more time outdoor, regardless of the seasons. 7 kindergartens added educational program with a priority on the value system, creativity and personal development of children, in line with the philosophy of Norwegian model of education. In the 5 parents' clubs set up under the project, starts a discussion forum and parenting training were launched to build a parent-child relationship like the Norwegian model that give the children right to have a choice, make their own decisions and be responsible about them.