Project of the Primary School ”Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj” (Vranje):
Homework Club

Project specific objectives:

• To provide the constructive involvement of pupils from vulnerable groups in the educational process.
• To improve cooperation with parents of pupils who have learning difficulties  and assist them to more integrate to the school environment and peer groups
• To improve the professional competence of the employees to work with pupils who have difficulties adapting to the school environment, who have learning difficulties and/or who have developmental disabilities.

Project’s main activities:

 Activities for children from vulnerable groups

• Homework Club
  Pupils from vulnerable groups will have an additional support in homework in adapted room, equipped so that they feel just as home.This room will compensate poor space in which they cannot properly cognitively develop.In order to increase sense that Homework club is their place, parents’ and children’ will take part in decision making process of equipping and adapting it. Teachers will support parents and children with additional classes and creative workshops.
• Remedial education in Homework Club
  Teachers will support pupils from vulnerable groups with individualized teaching, selection of teaching materials, techniques, methods and didactic materials which will increase motivation and lead to progress in learning.
• Visit to 90 Roma families
  Pedagogical assistants and teachers will bringleaflets on the project and activities to Roma families. They will explain aspect of cooperation with parents, parents' clubs and their possibility to include in school’s activities. Leaflets will contain information about the time, place and topics of workshops for parents.
• Twelve creative workshops for children from deprived environments
  Teachers trained in previous projects will realize workshops on topics:  What my friend loves to work most, What are the problems of my friends, Our customs and culture, My rights and obligations, My wants and needs, Teamwork, Cooperation in the group,Prejudices, Non-discrimination and tolerance,Hygienic practices, Reproductive health, How I see myself in the future

Improving cooperation with parents of pupils who have learning difficulties

• Parents club will be created in order to influence on attitudes of parents of children from deprived families towards education. Parents will speak about their customs and culture, while  successful parents coming from deprived social groups will talk about significance of school and education. Through influence on parents, children will be motivated to attend school regularly and include in social life.
• Workshops for parents of children from deprived environments, with developmental disabilities or other
  Trained teachers will organise 10 creative workshops in the Homework Club. The goal is for parents to begin to value education, while other parents to give support and understand the importance of diversity, reducing thatway discrimination at schools. Before each workshop parents will receave promotional material, delivered to their homes .Topics of the workshop will be: How important is education for my child, Inclusion for all, Adaptation of my child to school environment, What kind of support is needed to my children, What are the traits of my child, Tradition and culture, Successful parent from deprived groups, Early dropping out of school, Support to professional development of my child, My child's future.

Improving the professional competence of the employees

• Two trainings for teachers:
  • - Educational support to the children from sensitive groups,
  • - Approach and support children with developmental difficulties for professional development.
• Trainings for 30 teachers:
  • - Educational support to children from deprived groups,
  •  - Approach and support to children with behavioural difficulties for professional development.
• 15 "open" classes done by trained 15 teachers
• Internal seminars for other teachers, given by 20 trained teachers, twice a month during school term

Project’s target groups

• Direct beneficiaries: 90 pupils from vulnerable groups, 26 pupils with developmental disabilities, 54 class and subject teachers, professional associates and the school principal, 100 parents of pupils from vulnerable groups.
• Indirect beneficiaries: 806 pupils of our school, 800 parents of all the pupils of our school, 32 representatives of the Parents Council, 9 representatives of the School Board, 16 representatives of the Pupils’ Parliament, The local community, The local government