Methodologies & Research
The target group selection methodology of the project is structured as follows:
1. Selection of the counties where the project is implemented
The purpose of the project was to address educational issues at national level. Consequently, we implemented the main activities of the project in 24 counties, divided into two categories:
– 8 counties where permanent activities were conducted with the target group of the project. These counties are Bucharest, Giurgiu, Vrancea, Vaslui, Mures, Bistrita Nasaud, Caras Severin, Mehedinti. We selected these counties based on the following criteria: very low income per capita, large number of emigrants, low school attendance correlated with significant early school leaving rates. Bucharest was selected due to the UNEFS location where activities with children at risk of exclusion from Bucharest were implemented.
– 16 counties for itinerant activity. These counties were selected during the project according to: the vicinity with the 8 counties of the first category, small incomes correlated with low participation in the educational process
2. Selection of supported schools
The schools in our project were selected according to a methodology implemented in the first part of the project. These schools were divided into two categories:
– 16 schools where the constant activities of the project were carried out. The sustainable support granted to these schools also generated a 1% increase in the transition rate from ISCED 2 to ISCED 3. The methodology was based on the following criteria:
– location – schools were located in one of the 8 nominated counties, preferably in rural communities affected by educational and social exclusion
– the number of children in the ISCED 2 secondary school (grades V – VIII) per school
– large number of absences
– number of students with known vulnerabilities: single-parent families, families receiving social assistance, one or both parents working abroad, Roma, CES children (special educational requirements)
– infrastructure – sports facilities, the existence of PE teachers, accessibility to a form of catering or food delivery
– the desire to be part of the project
– 16 schools where the itinerant activities were implemented. These schools were involved only sequentially in the project activities being prepared to take over and implement the proposed pattern after the implementation period. The criteria for these school selection are:
– proximity to the 16 schools where the constant activities will take place
– all the above criteria. Schools with itinerant activities do not need a well-structured infrastructure for sporting activities but will provide an area where practical activities can be presented.
All schools were selected together with the County Inspectorates. An expert from these County Inspectorates was part of the project (8 experts) and directly coordinated the relationship with the schools. We concluded collaboration agreements with each participating school. In addition, a coordinator from the 14 schools with constant activities was part of the project team
3. Children selection – the main target group
– 1200 children from 16 schools where constant activities took place. The selection methodology was based on the cooperation with the teachers in the schools, on the parental consents and on equal opportunities. Based on the principle of desegregation, tried to select homogeneous classes for the project so that the focus was on inclusion and not on the exclusion of any member of the community in the project activities.
– 1400 children from 16 schools where itinerant activities took place. The selection methodology was based on the same principles
For children with disabilities, the selection methodology was conducted by involving UNEFS experts and representative of local authorities (CJRAE, school psychologists, etc.).
4. Secondary target group selection
– 760 teachers selected from participating schools as well as from other schools with similar challenges in the region
– 800 parents of the main Target Group
5. Specific methodologies