a good start project in slovakia a road of a thousand miles begins with the first step... conference...
TRANSCRIPT
‘A GOOD START‘ Project in Slovakia
„A road of a thousand miles begins with the first step...“
Conference on Early Childhood Education and Care for Roma Children4th of June 2012, Brussels
Edita KovarovaEqualizing Chances, Statutory representativeAlbin CinaEqual Chances, SlovakiaEva KončokováNadácia Škola dokorán, member of ISSA
With support from the European Union
With support from the European Union
AGS – Outcome of Slovak Interventions The cognitive, social, emotional and
psychomotoric competencies of the children in pre-school age are improved.
Better school achievement of the children in elementary schools attained.
Enhanced pedagogical and methodological competencies of the teachers and mediators in the field of education.
Increased interest of the local self-governements in education of the Romani children.
New regular class created at the local kindergarten.
With support from the European Union
AGS – some other activities Toys library
Partnership with Presov University in Presov, Faculty of Pedagogy – voluntary family assistants
Cooperation with the National project “Education of Pedagogical Professionals towards Inclusion of Romani pupils” implemented by the Methodological and Pedagogical center in Presov
With support from the European Union
AGS – Lessons learned, the most important:
It is not possible to achieve any progress in the project and real change without the direct participation of people from the local community.
The project gave the children a chance to spend happy childhood in inspirational environment of kindergartens.
Make a condition for inclusive education is a key strategy of solving the education in Slovakia for all children.
With support from the European Union
‚A GOOD START‘ project in Slovakia
„A road of a thousand miles begins with the first step...“
Conference on Early Childhood Education and Care for Roma Children4th June 2012 Brussels
Edita KovarovaEqualizing Chances, Statutory representativeAlbin CinaEqual Chances, SlovakiaEva KončokováNadácia Škola dokorán, member of ISSA
With support from the European Union
AGS – Community empowerment in Zborov, district of Bardejov
Number of inhabitants: 3099; ratio of Roma: up to 40%
Benefits of the project for the community:
Breaking through the barriers in the field of pre-school education of the Romani children
Improving communication skills of the participating Romani parents
Developing skills, capacities, knowledge of the members of the local community
Providing working experience for community mediators
With support from the European Union
AGS – Community empowerment Increased trust of the local Romani community to the organizations
implemented the project.
Better school achievement, improved social skills and breaking the language barrier of the Romani children.
Improved social relations between Romani and Non-Romani community.
Direct participation of the parents contributes towards decreasing the risk of social exclusion, lack of adaptability and marginalization.
The project became a chance for our community to realize its
own needs as well as its own abilities.
With support from the European Union
The role of Nadácia Škola dokorán
To promote high quality ECEC services
To build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals and Roma parents so that they are able to address the specific needs of Roma children and their families
To promote principles and practices of social justice and intercultural participatory approach in the framework of inclusion
With support from the European Union
Diversity of services
Sevices in the kindergarten
Non-formal preschool facilities in nun’s house
Play groups organized in families
With support from the European Union
Target group
Various non-Roma and Roma professionals and Roma Professionals Paraprofessionals Kindergarten and Primary School Teachers Roma Teaching Assistants Mediators Family Assistants Tutors Roma Parents in centers Community and family based services
With support from the European Union
Types of capacity building activities in 2010:1-3 days trainings targeting kindergarten and primary school teachers, Roma teaching assistants
Content: Principles of child centered education approach ISSA’s Quality Pedagogy Integrated approach - working with children from non-dominant
culture Education for Social Justice Parenting with Confidence, Getting ready for School Mediation and problem solving, Motivation tools for mediators Outline of the health education
Main outcomes: Empowerment of communities and professionals Improved knowledge, skills
12
With support from the European Union
13
Outcomesfor Children
Outcomesfor Children Outcomes
for Children
Interactions
Fam
ily an
d
Com
mu
nity
Incl
usion,
Diver
sity,
and
the
Values
of
Democr
acy
Professional
Development
Lea
rnin
g
Envi
ronm
ent
Teachin
g
Strateg
ies
Assessment and Planning
ISSA Quality Principles – Focus Areas
Workshops, Mentoring, Fieldwork in 2011 and 2012:targeting kindergarten and primary school teachers, Roma teaching assistants, mediators, family assistants, tutors, Roma parents
Content areas for workshops and mentoring: Putting ISSA Principles of Quality Pedagogy in practice Improving practice by using ISSA’s Continuum for Assessing
Caregivers
Main outcomes: Strengthened communication skills of Roma mediators, family
assistants Improved school - family relationship Contribution to social inclusion through the Roma mediators,
assistants Explored strategies to promote active learning and development
of Roma
14
With support from the European Union
Lesson learnt through capacity building interventions - the engine of the change:
Roma Families, important resource in the process of combating social exclusion
Capacity building of professionals and paraprofessionals to address the specific needs of Roma children and their families,
Establishment of a Learning Community among professionals, paraprofessionals and non-professionals, working together towards the same goals and learning from each other
Long term investment in people which needs reinforcement, assistance and support
15
With support from the European Union
The biggest challenges:
Create different services ready for children, not children ready to enroll in services
Follow up professional development of educators, mediators Community based Peer learning
The most difficult barriers:
Absence of compulsory preschool education of Roma children Communication gap between majority and minority ethnic
groups due to existing prejudice and stereotypes Lack of platform for interaction on local level, limited
institutional, professional and individual cooperation
16
With support from the European Union
What makes the difference for long lasting capacity building investment?
Being closer to people! Building bridges and
alliances! Tailoring the capacity building interventions to
specific community needs Using various forms of capacity building
interventions and use of existing knowledge and human resources
Providing on-going support and assistance for professionals and paraprofessionals
17
With support from the European Union
Contact:Equalizing ChancesEmail: [email protected]
Nadácia Škola dokorán, member of ISSAE-mail: [email protected]
18
Equalizing Chances &