Meetings with parents in “Ahmet Zogu” and “Halit Cota” schools

Meetings with parents were organised in “Ahmet Zogu” school on 19 November 2014, and in “Halit Cota” school, on 20 November 2014, in the framework Fair Childhood, GEW-Foundation “Education Instead of Child Labour” Project implementation.

Around 70 parents of children dropped out and at risk to drop out from both schools, subject of concrete work in the framework of Project implementation, as well as teachers, pupils and parents, members of Monitoring Groups, took part in both meetings.

Headmasters of both schools, Azem Kovaci and Mahmut Ajazi, as well as the Chairmen of FSASH and SPASH, Xhafer Dobrushi and Nevrus Kaptelli, took also part in these meetings.

Heads of schools Monitoring Groups, Bukurosh Hoxha and Hysen Koldashi, made introductions on measures taken and work done in the framework of Project implementation, mentioning also some results achieved and the main directions of the work to be done.
They were focused especially on collaboration with parents and their role in turning children back to school and keeping all pupils in school.
They mentioned good examples of many parents, who have reflected, after concrete work of teachers and classmate pupils with them, returning their children in school.

They also mentioned results achieved: 2 more pupils in “Ahmet Zogu” school and 1 more pupil in “Halit Cota” school are withdrawn from working and retuned to school, as well as 4 more pupils in Ahmet Zogu school and 3 more pupils in Halit Cota school, are totally integrated to school, being considered out of risk to drop out from school.

They also mentioned difficulties they are facing and special role of parents in making progress in returning children to school and keeping all pupils in school. They explained that, not only teachers and pupils of Monitoring Groups, but almost all teachers of these schools are engaged concretely in additional work and activities, to improve the situation, appreciating GEW Foundation Project assistance and FSASH/SPASH commitment, as a direct support for their work.

The Chairman of Parents Council in “Ahmet Zogu” school, Kujtim Hysneli, and parents’ representative in “Halit Cota” school,  Perparim Murati, mentioned that difficult economic and financial situation of their families constrain many of them to ask from their children to work with them or on their own and assist their families to survive. They also spoke about role of parents, members of Monitoring Groups, and efforts of teachers to convince parents of pupils dropped out and at risk to drop out from school and to collaborate with them in order to bring their children back to school.

Headmaster of “Ahmet Zogu” school, Azem  Kovaci, and teachers Drita Cerpja, Agim Lilollari, Gazmend Halili, Izet Nabolli, and Headmaster of “Halit Cota” school, Mahmut Ajazi and teachers Dila Vuksaj, Fabjona Gjuta, Marie Frroku, Bukurie Ajazi, etc, representatives of Monitoring Groups from both schools, spoke about their experience working with parents, results achieved, problems they are facing with some pupils and so on.

In “Ahmet Zogu” school, parent, Rustem Nezha, promised, not only to bring in school his two children, but also to work with teachers and pupils of the first Monitoring Group, especially with parents of two pupils dropped out from school in order to bring them back to school.
Parent Flutura Demacaj, mother of pupil Kletis Demacaj, thanked teachers and pupils who have worked with her and with Kletis, and promised to give her example with other parents of pupils dropped out and at risk to drop out from second Monitoring Group.

Parent Florian Kola gave his example with his children who are attending regularly the school, also having good performance in learning. Ferit Sufa and other parents, discussing in this meeting, mentioned their difficult economic and financial situation, as a problem for their children to attend the school, but many examples from teachers and other parents were told to them, trying to convince them that more than economic and financial situation, the mentality of parents is the main cause of children dropping out from school.

In “Halit Cota” school, Nazmie Peposhi, mother of Xhemis Peposhi, and Kujtime Fatmiri, mother of Blerta Fatmiri, appreciated the work of teachers and pupils with their children and promised to bring them regularly to school.

Parent Perparim Murati, expressed his experience with his children, Bruklin and Elidion Murati, who are attending the school regularly and also having good results in learning.
Parents Nexhmije Caka, Violeta Gjoku, Hyret Xhediku etc, appreciated the help for textbooks and other school supplies, also promising to bring and to keep their children in school, but at the same time they pointed out their economical and financial difficulties they are facing in their families, that’s why they asked for any support in finding any job and for any financial assistance.

The Chairmen of FSASH and SPASH, Xhafer Dobrushi and Nevrus Kaptelli, appreciated the work done and results achieved and expressed their opinions about the role of parents and the need of a better collaboration with them and with community authorities.
They appreciated the assistance from Fair Childhood, GEW-Foundation “Education Instead of Child Labour” and promised that both FSASH and SPASH will also contribute for textbooks, school materials and any modest financial help for some of the families of pupils dropped out from school, aiming to support teachers and pupils work to withdraw them from working and bring them back to school.