UNICEF and Romgaz support children to go to school

UNICEF and Romgaz have recently signed a partnership to help prevent and reduce school absenteeism, dropout and early school leaving within the “Let’s go to School” campaign.

In Romania, there are approximately 400,000 children who do not attend school regularly. Moreover, two out of ten children do not finish eight classes, reads a release issued by UNICEF Romania on Monday. Children who do not go to school today represent the unqualified labor force in the next 10 – 15 years. Starting with these alarming statistics, UNICEF launched in 2010, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education (MEN), the “Let’s go to School!” campaign, having intervened at three levels: at school, at community level and at family level. Thus, the campaign promotes respecting the fundamental right to education for all children and the principle of equity by supporting the most vulnerable children, including Roma children and their families.

The campaign started in the 2010-2011 school year and had a national coverage, nowadays the initiative is conducted in 32 communities from 20 counties.

“A child who goes to school today will become a teenager concerned about his future and will become an independent adult who can get a job, who will have fewer health problems and who will not need social assistance. In the coming years, it is important to ensure the access and the right to education for all children and especially for the most vulnerable children. We are happy that Romgaz supports this initiative,” said Sandie Blanchet, UNICEF Representative in Romania.

The largest producer of natural gas in Romania, Romgaz, will support the implementation of the interventions within the “Let’s go to School” campaign in five disadvantaged communities: Cilibia, Buz?u County; Cojasca, Fântânele, Dâmbovi?a County; Dragomire?ti, Neam? County; Filipe?tii de Târg, Prahova County and Vicovu de Sus (Plai), Suceava County.

“The effectiveness with which the school fulfills its role is essential for the affirmation of a society based on knowledge and learning. The quality of life of a community, of a nation, will decrease if lifelong learning and personal development of the capacity to adapt and to promote ethical values are missing. Romgaz meets the needs of the educational system, considering the cooperation between the business environment and the community a prerequisite for evolution and prosperity,” said Virgil Marius Meteor, CEO Romgaz.

School level interventions aim to transform the educational institution in a welcoming environment for children, to train school mediators, directors and teachers in order for them to adapt their working style according to the needs of each student. At family level, it is aimed the strengthening of the relation between parents and the school, their children’s involvement in the school life and supporting the parents through counseling and individual discussions.