EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Stimulating parental involvement and participation among Moroccan women

Stimulating parental involvement and participation among Moroccan women

Introduction

Until recently only women from the large Moroccan community in Gouda were eligible to participate in the Bridge project. As of 2003, the projects were also made accessible to women of other nationalities. Parental participation and parental involvement are key components of the project. Two or three primary schools take part in each Bridge project.

Problem

The goal of the project is for the participating women, besides learning the Dutch language, to increase their courage and self-confidence.

Description

The goal of the project is for the participating women, besides learning the Dutch language, to increase their assertiveness and self-confidence, and to allow them to participate in the primary-school and secondary education and thus the lives of their children on an informed basis. Moreover, participation in one’s own district is encouraged and promoted.

The women are informed about all kinds of practical matters, such as the parents’ evening, the weekly newsletter or school subjects and aspects of upbringing appurtenant to growing children. They also learn to get involved in their own neighbourhoods.

Approach

Children of Bridge project course members who are under primary-school age are looked after in the day nursery. Some of these day nurseries work on language stimulation within the framework of the VVE. The Bridge project takes place in combination with "Broad Schools", such that use can also be made of between- and after-school activities.

Results

So far, the results of the Bridge project are promising. Many primary schools in various districts have already begun participate. Mothers are clearly more involved in the school scene. Some help with those who remain at school for lunch, others are involved in the organisation of the Saint Nicholas celebration. The number of mothers who come to parent’s evenings has increased. After the project, most women continue on the regular syllabus at the ID College.

In 2003 Bridge projects were also started in 2 regional locations. The follow-up project in Gouda is to build a bridge to the district. The follow-up project is called "In the neighbourhood". Getting participants involved is more oriented towards district-level participation. The projects have also become accessible to other immigrant groups.

Contact info

ROC ID-College
H. Kuijpers, tel. +31 18 2525144

Project start date

01/01/1999

Links

ROC ID-College (in Dutch)

Bridge project, Gouda (PDF, Dutch, 5.5KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Education

Keywords

Primary education, Secondary education