Within the framework of the sub-programmes that form part of the „For the Road” scholarship scheme designed to support disadvantaged young people, some 14 thousand pupils in total will receive aid as a result of a significant increase in the sum available for awarding, the Minister of State for Social Inclusion Zoltán Kovács said at his press conference held on Tuesday in Ács in Komárom-Esztergom County.

By Mr Kovács’s account, the amount of the scholarship grant has been adjusted to study results in the system which has been renewed over a period of two years. As a result, this year it may amount to as much as 14 thousand forints monthly. Fifty-three per cent of those receiving scholarship grants are of Roma origin.

The Minister of State reiterated that, in addition to the scholarship scheme, the various equal opportunities programmes, projects designed to promote the continuation of studies, the alternative learning facilities and second chance-type programmes as well as the various local and international school twinning projects reach more than 16 thousand children.

Based on the experiences of recent years, the Integrated Pedagogical System designed to equalise the opportunities of children with multiple disadvantages has improved the situation of some 2,000 pupils and children in public education institutions, he explained.

Béla Lakatos, Mayor of Ács of Roma origin – Principal of the Gárdonyi Géza Elementary School between 2004 and 2010 – said at the press conference that integrated education began in 2004 on an ascending scale. In each year, a new grade joined the ranks of integrated classes where not only Roma children but children with special educational needs, too, learn together with the others.

The Mayor said that, during the period when he was principal of the school, there were 500 to 600 children, and 120 of them required special development. They involved the parents in the process, set up a mentor system, in which each teacher is responsible for the development of 6 to 7 children, and the training of teachers was equally emphatic.

The school later also engaged in vocational training; 20 to 30 pupils obtained qualifications annually, and two thirds of them found jobs, Mr Lakatos said, adding that the method implemented by them can be successfully adopted elsewhere if the ratio of pupils in need of development remains below 30 per cent.

(Ministry of Human Resources)