Description
In the Romanian educational system, there is a lack of representation and promotion of students from disadvantaged groups in the decision-making process at school level. The objective of the project is to increase the active and responsible involvement of the citizens (in particular Roma parents) in the educational process of their children from 10 schools from Ialomita and Calarasi County. Some of the expected results are: 1 study about how Roma parents participate in the school decision making process and a methodology of involving parents in the process of school education; 10 parental support groups for education; 20 parents who are going to be part of the school’s Administrative Councils; improved competences and skills of the parents So that vulnerable children should have a better school participation, it is necessary to empower Parents and to create the framework for the community to have the ownership by participating in the decision at the school level The target group is composed of 20 parents and the beneficiaries are 300 Roma and NonRoma pupils from vulnerable groups (explicitly Roma but not exclusively) from 10 schools.
Summary of project results
The problem approached by the project was the lack of involvement and under-representation of the interest of children from vulnerable communities in the process of education at school level. In the 10 localities selected for the project, a series of activities were implemented, in order to mobilize parents and other stakeholders, such as local authorities’ representatives and teachers. 10 parental educational support groups were formed and became active, aiming at a better participation in the process of education at the level of school and communities. 10 civic actions have been organised, with the involvement of children, parents, teachers and local authorities. Also, 10 Civic Action Plans have been put together, with the involvement of the parents, having inclusive education as main priority, and 10 workshops have been organised, with the participation of 150 persons. Letters have been sent to all the schools participating in the project and to the two School Inspectorates from Calarasi and Ialomita Counties, in order to advocate for the inclusion of one parent who represents vulnerable children in the Councils of Administration. The promoter and Ialomita School Inspectorate signed an agreement in this respect, and, as a direct result, the number of vulnerable group parent representatives in the CA's increased from 3 to 8. At the beginning, those parents were very reluctant and shy to react and express opinions in the CAs, but, once they have been trained, they became more involved and more confident in expressing opinions. The decisions taken during CA meetings are usually administrative ones, but there are some schools that started to think and discuss about issues such as after school programmes, their strategic development plan, the results of school participation. As a main result of the project, a group of citizens was created, a group that became more responsible in participating in the process of education of children from vulnerable communities, as well as in the process of decision-making from the schools selected. Two publications were published during the project - a study regarding parents’ participation to decision making in school and a Guide regarding parental participation in schools’ Administrative Boards for a better representation of the children from vulnerable groups. They were both very well received by the schools and other stakeholders.
Summary of bilateral results