Project Coordinator Srednja škola - Centar za odgoj i obrazovanje Croatia

 Our school was founded in 1960 and has been dedicated to educating students with intellectual disabilities since its inception.We therefore possess 65 years of experience in the field of special education. Over time, our methods and approaches to working with students have evolved and modernized; Erasmus+ projects, in particular, serve as a key means of fostering the integration and inclusion of our students. We have been engaged in environmental initiatives for about 20 years, beginning with the establishment of a student cooperative and a waste recycling program. In 2014, we launched educational programs for assistant gardeners and florists, which led us to start planting flowers and medicinal herbs, as well as cultivating the school garden. Although our city-center location limits the space available for a large garden, we constructed a greenhouse in the schoolyard in 2023, which we aim to utilize as effectively as possible—a goal that participation in this project will help us achieve. Half of our students require psychological and pedagogical support. Most need speech therapy (we have an on-site speech therapist), while others participate in various therapies, such as attention training using the "Play Attention" program, kinesiotherapy, music therapy, and art therapy. Furthermore, we utilize sports activities to help students with special educational needs reach their full potential.

Our school is a specialized vocational institution for students with special educational needs. Most of our students have mild intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties; however, we also serve students with autism, Down syndrome, and other complex needs (a smaller number of students have more severe disabilities). Our students range in age from 14 to 21, and we currently have an enrollment of 154. The majority are capable of completing their education to become support workers in various fields. Additionally, we have four groups for students with more severe disabilities who follow a program focused on developing functional skills for independent living. In these groups, students learn self-care and socialization skills, preparing them for constructive participation in social life. We offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and foster a positive school climate, strong relationships, and mutual respect.