Description
The aims of this project are to: (a) to promote school achievement and to reduce truancy rates and the number of disciplinary referrals of youths involved in the project who are enrolled at basic education in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo; and (b)to approach school early-leavers (youths under 18) in order to promote their return to school. The hidden and most strategic goal of the project is to promote non-formal education activities in school, considering the lack of non-formal approaches to learning in schools in The Azores which may help to address those youths who are particularly resistant to schooling. The activities of the project will be set in a school of the city of Angra do Heroísmo (Escola Básica e Secundária Tomás de Borba) and will comprise three domains: (a)mentoring; (b) after-school arts programs; and (c) after-school vocational program.
Summary of project results
The promoter’s goal was to address truancy in Angra do Heroísmo, through mentoring actions and artistic expression and vocational discovery workshops. The project was open to all students, although the integration of mentored students and drop-outs was of special concern. 67 students benefitted from the project (including 6 drop-outs), thus reaching the promoter’s goals. A local school, a museum and the municipal authority where the project took place, while not formally project partners, were pivotal in its success and will to some extent continue it in the future through some activities, namely a “school club”. Through this project, the promoter NGO successfully improved school achievement at local level and gained a valuable learning experience which will improve the services it provides addressing social exclusion among the youth. The continuation of many of the project’s activities will be ensured through cooperation with the local stakeholders.
Summary of bilateral results