Frоm 14 until 16 October, 2019, in Skopje, training for the development and application of student-centered models and approaches in the process of building an inclusive school environment was conducted for the second group of students. This training is a continuation of the program for support of the teachers and the school support staff members within the Project for Inclusion of Out-of-School Children in the Educational System supported by the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation. Through the training, the participants gained skills for creation of appropriate conditions for acceptance and keeping the children who are out of the educational system in the schools.
The training was attended by 34 lower-grade teachers and school support staff members from 10 primary schools included in the project: “Slavco Stojmenski” from Vinica, “Goce Delcev” from Tetovo, “Brakja Ramiz i Hamid” from Suto Orizari, Skopje, “Vasil Glavinov” from Cair, Skopje, “Jasar Bej Skupi” from Cair, Skopje, “11 Oktomvri” from Kumanovo”, “Hristijan Karpos” from Kumanovo, “Goce Delcev” from Gostivar, “Edinstvo” from Gostivar and “Nikola Vapcarov” from Strumica. Through experiential learning methods, the focus of the training for this group of students as well was put on building an inclusive relationship of the teacher with the children who are at risk of leaving their education, building an inclusive classroom environment and developing strategies and interventions for individual development of students under risk.
The participants in the training actively participated in workshops for identification of the at-risk students and the factors for leaving school, and they analyzed the problems that arise during the communication with the families. They also worked on the creation of models and strategies for creation of inclusive classrooms and inclusive schools. Special attention was paid to the role of the teacher in creating a safe classroom environment and building an atmosphere of acceptance and motivation of the at-risk students so that they would become more actively involved in the activities and more successfully integrated in the educational process.
“The most useful thing I gained from this training was acquiring new knowledge about techniques and strategies for inclusion of at-risk students. The most impressive thing for me was the opportunity to exchange experiences with the other students“, said one of the participants in the training.
Most of the students think that such trainings enable them to acquire new ideas for improvement of their way of work, as well as to develop a better cooperation with their colleagues. The training was conducted by the trainers Radmila Zivanovic – psychologist and psychotherapist and Ivana Marinchek – psychologist and psychotherapist.
The training for teachers and support staff members is part of the project “Inclusion of Out-of-School Children in the Educational System” implemented by the Macedonian Civic Education Center (MCEC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), and financially supported by the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation (PCF).
