Introduction
What happens in our classrooms is often a direct reflection of our society. Recently, Daniela Maria Boșca from Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) joined the TV show Viitor pentru România (Future for Romania) to discuss a critical challenge: the growing polarization within the Romanian school system. Alongside moderator Nicoleta Călugăreanu and State Counselor Luciana Antoci, the discussion highlighted why it is time to shift our focus from student backgrounds to individual student needs.
The Reality of Polarized Classrooms
Luciana Antoci noted that schools today reflect a deeply polarized societal structure. Children enter the classroom from vastly different communities and with diverse needs. For teachers, the challenge is finding a formula that enables equality while adapting the teaching process to the personalized requirements of every child.
Moving Toward a “Common Front”
At the EMBRACE CERV PROJECT, we believe that education requires a multidisciplinary approach. Daniela Maria Boșca emphasized that we are currently looking at a “generation of tired parents and teachers.” With a low number of school counselors available, teachers are often left without the support they need to bridge the gap between education and emotional well-being.
The Solution: Human-to-Human Relationships
The discussion offered clear, actionable solutions that align with the mission of EMBRACE:
- Multidisciplinary Teams: Moving beyond just a teacher and a student to include social workers and school mediators in the classroom.
- The Mediator Model: Following successful models, such as those in France, to assist the relationship between teachers, children, and families.
- Support Networks: Establishing “Teachers’ Cafes” and “Parents’ Cafes” to build trust and dialogue.
- Neutral Support: As highlighted in a poignant letter written by children to Romanian authorities, students are looking for “people who don’t judge us”, neutral professionals who focus solely on finding solutions.
Conclusion
Building real, human-to-human relationships is the only way to transform school fears into success stories. By providing a common front of educators, social workers, and mediators, we can ensure that every child is seen, heard, and supported.
Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qex7tg0x7Bw
Funding Agency: EACEA – European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu
