The EU Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Life Lifelong Learning 2014-2020” has included a new, 12.4 million euro programme for the “Induction of Vulnerable Social Groups” at 488 primary schools and reception classes nationwide.
The overarching aim of the project is to reduce the school dropout rates among students from vulnerable social groups, and students with cultural and religious particularities.
A key objective is to improve academic performance, particularly in literacy and numeracy, but also in various subject areas, so that students will be able to handle the normal school programme requirements and remain in the educational system until completion of their studies.
Therefore, the programme seeks to reinforce and promote equal access and effective induction of the aforementioned student groups.
In particular, the programme aims to educate and facilitate the smooth educational and social integration of refugee children.
In that context, there will be an enhancement of the educational personnel in primary schools where there is a need for the integration of the above student groups (with a horizontal intervention at all the aforestated schools).
The teachers and staff who will implement the programme will take on reception classes which will deal mainly with learning Greek as a second language. Moreover, auxiliary tutoring classes in various subjects will be offered.
It goes without saying, that the chief objective is to achieve the smooth adaptation of children from vulnerable social groups, as well as of children with cultural and religious particularities, to the educational system. Only if this adaptation is accomplished, will all pupils be encouraged to continue their studies.
Finally, there will be initiatives to disseminate information regarding the new programmes so as to reach target groups, as well as to procure necessary teaching materials.