Last year, IVETA granted a micro-grant to EduBiz in Romania following the receipt and consideration of a well-thought-out proposal.
Main Project Aims and Beneficiaries
101 pupils directly involved in the project: rural area, more than 50% from vulnerable families, with financial and family obstacles, unable to continue school in the city, and have a job, without external support.
Pupils and families have no access to information about scholarships and subsidies to continue in VET schools - which could cover all the costs for students, including transport from the village to the city. (Thus, in recent years, almost 14% of pupils dropped out of school, and 50% went to schools that did not match their talents and dropped out, or did not have a job ultimately).
Project Implementation
Edubiz developed a program called Descoperá Invatá Actioneaza (DIA) which stands for 'Discover Learn Act'.
- DIA was launched in the 3 named schools
- 15 workshops on personal development and school professional guidance were run
- Learning diaries for student, teacher and tutor development were implemented
- 5 visits were organised to local companies
- 5 meetings were organised with parents and the community to help them understand the process of choosing educational and professional pathways
- Meetings were held with local communities actors and authorities to identify and implement measures together
Project Results
- 3 schools participated from Bihor county
- 500 students learnt about the project, jobs and opportunities
- 101 students (12 – 14 years old) benefited directly from the project's activities (workshops on holistic/psychological/professional development, skills identification, and vocational orientation activities)
- 20 rural area teachers learnt to develop project-based learning in school in order to continue the project
- All participating students and teachers used a Growth/Development Journal/diary
- The project successfully reduced the early dropout rate from 14% to less than 4% last year
- 60% of participating students now continue their education in VET Schools
- A plumbing course was reinstated in a VET School in Oradea, 3 years after the school cancelled it due to lack of student interest
- The DIA method was designed by EduBiz and can be developed for future projects and exchange of good practices
- An advertising video about VET schools as a pathway for youth was created