Map of areas where kindergartens have already become part of the program (Jan 2021).
GIVEN THAT:
- Romania’s early school abandonment rate is 26.6% in rural areas, 18.1% overall, compared to the European average of 10.6%, and our country’s PISA scores were the second lowest in the EU in 2018
- To compete in the 21st century world economy, Romania must increase the average educational attainment level of its children.
- Literacy is the most accurate indicator of educational attainment, while early education has been shown to be the most efficient investment.
- Children living in poor communities do not have access to age-appropriate books, being severely disadvantaged by the time they enter primary school
- Combining teacher training, quality resources, and a community of committed teachers results in major advances in disadvantaged children’s readiness for primary school.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has added another obstacle for disadvantaged children living where online access is severely limited, increasing the likelihood of their falling further behind.
OVIDIURO PROPOSES TO:
Turn Romania’s 4500 public kindergartens into seedbeds of literacy by executing a 5-year plan, in which they plan to:
- Train the teachers on literacy and read aloud techniques, while offering a set of big books
- Equip each kindergarten with a minimum of 30 books
- Give each child in disadvantaged communities at least one book to take home.
- Create and consolidate sustainability for these activities, in connection to strategic national and European plans.
BECAUSE:
- OvidiuRo is uniquely qualified and positioned to spearhead this initiative, while having a strong partners’ network
- There is a strong network of kindergartens in all rural and disadvantages areas, offering possibility to reach children in need
- Of the 4500 public grădinițe in Romania, approximately 40% are in disadvantaged communities
- Providing materials without training teachers in how to maximize their use wastes resources.
- Training teachers without providing them with quality materials severely limits their capacity to teach.