Description
The analysis of the social infrastructure in Municipality of Pleven has proven that there are 5 kindergartens with poor and unreached children and the reasons are usually low social status and multicultural differences.The main objective of the project is supporting preparation for school for underprivileged children of ethnic minorities in the age group of 3 to 6 years (main target group), through guaranteeing the right of equal access to quality education. The secondary target group is represented by Roma mediators, pedagogical staff and parents of disadvantaged children. The project aims to overcome the main obstacles to quality education, equal access and promotion of cultural identity. The project envisages introduction of new programmes with a specific focus on underprivileged children and appropriate training materials, which will facilitate their adaptation. The donor partner will support and assist with necessary information, regarding the project activities, which will lead to successful project implementation. The partnership will promote the exchange of good practices and in addition it will strengthen the bilateral relations.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project was to improve the preparation for school for vulnerable children in the age between 3 to 6 years, by improving access to quality pre-school education and social activities for disadvantaged children in the municipality of Pleven. The project team including 3 Roma mediators, 15 educators, 1 rehabilitator, 1 speech therapist, 5 music educators, 4 lecturers - Psychologist, social worker and 2 pediatricians worked for 28 months. The Roma mediators and the expert staff worked with the target group to attract non-attending pre-school children to the kindergartens covered by the project. They assisted easing the acceptation of children from disadvantage families, including children with roma origin. They also improved the pre-school education for the children from the disadvantage families.The main part of the project activities was focused on the implementation of formats for working with children and their parents:"School for Children and Parents - 20 events visited by over 600 parents; Monthly workshops for the promotion of skills related to the traditions and crafts of the different ethnic groups, visit of the puppet theatrical Productions - delivered to each child pottery wheels, weaving looms, fine art tools and national costume. Five theatrical productions and theatrical costumes for them. There we held 20 outings for children and their parents. Children's Drawing Competition, 5 sports celebrations and a final tour. Also monthly concerts and one final, delivered 5 professional music sets. Examination of children from the target group for problems with the musculoskeletal system, Green School - visits to the Ethnographic Complex Eatara and the Natural History Museum in the village of Cherni Osam. In the buildings of the 5 kindergartens was carried out construction and repair works according to the identified needs. The implementation of the project activities ensured the right to equal access to quality education and has helped to improve the quality of education in kindergartens. The education process was in a spirit of tolerance and non-discrimination of children in kindergartens by preserving and developing the cultural identity. It helped reduce the number of unskilled and drop-out pupils in compulsory school age. At the start of the project, 478 children were enrolled, and at the end of the project the target group was 494 children.
Summary of bilateral results
In connection with the implementation of project BG-06-233, several events for the exchange of good practices, funded by the Bilateral Relations Fund at the program level, were held: 1. Visiting of 15 educators and 3 Roma mediators in the Council of Europe, Strasbourg 2. Conduct Seminar 1 on the territory of Oslo, Norway during the period 24.08.2015 and 30.08.2015 3. Conducting Seminar 2 on the territory of Pleven, Bulgaria during the period 18.05.2016 - 22.05.2016. Funding of exchange of good practice activities from the bilateral fund at program level, strengthens bilateral relationships as it provides opportunities for representatives from both sides to partnered, exchange information, compare behavior patterns and work patterns. Bilateral partnership made it possible to hold Seminar 1 and Seminar 2, during which the kindergartens covered by the project were visited by both parties. Experience and knowledge have been exchanged, creating contacts between the experts on both sides that continue to this day. They will continue for the future and will be the basis for a new partnership.Thanks to them, the model of Bulgarian pre-school education received high evaluation for the quality and professional work of our pedagogues and became available to the broader Norwegian public.Organizing and conducting Workshop 1 on the territory of the country-partner Norway. During the period 24.08.2015 - to 30.08.2015 in Oslo, Norway was conducted Work Shop 1. In the Work Shop took part – Deputy Mayor of Municipality of Pleven, 7 Members of team of the project, teams of the Norwegian kindergartens, partners of the donor state, local community and representatives of the Programme Operator - Ministry of education and science. Exchange of best practices with partners from the donor country, visiting childcare and promoting the general public on Norway with the project and its main and specific objectives. Organizing and conducting Workshop 2, on the territory of the Bulgarian lead partner. During the period 18.05.2016 - 22.05.2016 in Pleven, Bulgaria was conducted Work Shop 2. In the Work Shop took part – Deputy Mayor of Municipality of Pleven, 3 Members of partners organization and 5 representatives of the Norwegian kindergartens, the teams of the 5 Bulgarian kindergarten, team of the project and representatives of Pleven Municipality.