PREVENTION IN FOCUS
TUTORING is a program of prevention of early school leaving, whose foundation is nested in the pro-social behavior and guidance. At the same time, the program strongly promotes equal opportunities for all, volunteering work in the community, team work, solidarity and tolerance.
In the heart of this project is the pre-school or after-school tutoring learning support session, i.e. the relation formed between a tutor (student volunteer) and his/her tutee (pupil at risk of dropout). The research shows these initiatives can positively contribute to children’s success in school. Improvements can be traced in their knowledge and learning skills and also children’s general social skills. Inevitably the successful programs of this kind require involvement and partnerships with the larger community as well as the continually expanding outreach to parents and caregivers.
Improvements in children and young people who participate in the program can be traced to the level of knowledge and learning skills but also through changes in general social skills and behavior in school, motivation and socialization.
TUTORING program was developed in 2011 by Ms. Jelena Nastić and Ms. Marina Šolić through ‘’Tutoring Initiative: Dropping the Dropout Rate’’ (TIDDR) towards UNICEF, The Ministry of Education and The Parliament of Serbia.
MISSION
Mission of TUTORING program is to provide for support to children and youth in transforming their schooling results and enhancing the overall development for those elementary school pupils placed at risk of dropout. Furthermore, with this proposal we want to ensure the success of all pupils involved as one of their very own and society’s key development points, building on pupils personal and cultural assets and scaling up an effective program.
PRINCIPLES
Inclusive and non-discriminatory approach
Respecting principles devised in the Declaration on the Rights of the Child
Safeguarding the human dignity of each child and young person and promoting the development of his/her individual qualities
Respecting fundamental human rights as the basis for all education and training activities
Empowering children and young people to act as responsible members of society
Voluntary participation – each pupil and/or student bases his/her participation on the project alone and in accordance with individual needs and wants, voluntary and with no pressure coming from others
EXPECTED CHANGE
Better achievement in specific subject/s, comprehensive knowledge increased by pupils participating in the programme
Reduced number of skipping/avoiding school classes
Better relationships formed with peers, being part of peer network, active participation in peer events and public life
Positive feedback from parents, participating in projects meetings, recognizing program as supportive and effective
supportive and enabling environment created for children and youth through enhanced mutual cooperation of local stakeholders
Youth-friendly school teachers, minority and gender sensitive, open minded
Positive attitudes towards volunteering and community work developed, particularly in school children and students
(Photos@WEBIN2016)