Development of Iharosberény District Primary School and Kindergarten to Commence with the Help of EU Funding 22 February 2010
School developments in Iharosberény can get underway within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan with the help of EU funding amounting to approximately 580 million HUF. Infrastructural, content and methodological developments will equally be implemented at the school within the framework of this project.
Developments aimed at creating full handicap access to the primary school, upgrading its energy system and renewing its content and methodology commenced after 19 February, within the framework of which 10 regular and 1 special classroom will be renewed, a movement therapy room will be created and a gymnasium, sport court and art auditorium will be constructed..
Integrated education is provided at this school; 30% of the 203 pupils enrolled at the school are children with special education needs. Moreover, 73.5% of these children come from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is why special extra classes, as well as individual development and active extra-curricula activities assume a key role in the school’s curriculum. Even though this institution did everything it professionally possible could to surmount disadvantages, the results of competency surveys conducted indicate that only a limited number of students continue their educational career and that the extra special classes provided and competency-based education have so far not managed to gain ground. According to the teachers, the outdated institutional environment is what impedes development. This investment helps improve conditions by implementing equipment procurements and methodological developments. Competency development, providing special classes enabling students to catch up to their peers and the procurement of equipment suitable for differentiated instruction will be particularly prioritised within the framework of this project during the course of its implementation. The range of artistic, as well as extra-curricula activities offered will increase in line with the demands of the local population as an impact of this development.
Iharosberény is situated in one of the 33 most disadvantaged micro-regions in Hungary. Poverty, unemployment, the lack of enterprises operating in this region, quality public services, as well as opportunities are becoming an increasingly aggravating problem. Setting up a Micro-regional Education Centre will offer low-cost and efficient quality education services sustainable in the long run and accessible for everyone. By linking up to local cultural life, the centre strengthens social cohesion and improves the chances of the local population to make a living, as well as the region’s competitiveness. Social exclusion may be eliminated in the long run, the region’s population retention capacity may increase and the chances of disadvantaged individuals and persons with disabilities of finding employment may also improve as an outcome of this development