School for Success - Strenghts-based Model for Educational Integration

The project aims to support educational integration of students of ethnic minorities in Gorna Malina (Sofia District) by a model based on the strenghts of the students and the community involvement. The objective will be achieved through networking of all stakeholders involved - teachers and students of the Secondary school "Hristo Botev" (Gorna Malina), municipal administration Gorna Malina, parents, local leaders and ICSS Foundation’s experts - with a focus on the individual development of students, improving the quality of education and changing negative attitudes towards the achievements of Roma children and youth. The project includes acknowledged European methods of educational integration of ethnic minorities, namely: intensive classes for language skills, functional literacy and basic math skills, programs for the development of talents and skills for assertive behavior and support from mediators from the community. 100 students participate in the project, as 50 Roma students at risk of dropping out of school will be included in further training for basic skills and along with 50 students of different ethnicity will develop their strengths and attitudes of tolerance. The activities are interrelated, so that participation can build both personal and educational development of students, to contribute to increasing their motivation for learning and involvement in school life and to promote their achievements in the community. The products and the results will be presented and upgraded during the project, so that can be used as a resource for sustainability model for educational integration and after the project. The students with developed competencies and talents, parents sensitized to the value of school education, mediators with relevant experience and teachers with enhanced skills for training Roma ethnic minority are the most valuable and sustainable resource for School for Success.

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