The project titled “It’s Not Enough to Start—You Must Bring Others Along” has sparked exemplary cooperation in Nógrád County to support children with special educational needs. Carried out within the Széchenyi 2020 programme, the development used EU funding to launch institutional growth, professional renewal, and close collaboration between educators in the region and the families involved in the project.
The initiative, jointly implemented by the Unified Special Education Methodology Institution (Hungarian abbr.: EGYMI) in Pásztó and the Balassagyarmat, Bátonyterenye, Pásztó, Rétság, Salgótarján and Szécsény branches of the Nógrád County Pedagogical Service, provided substantial support to institutions caring for children with severe and multiple disabilities. It strengthened the children’s social acceptance and inclusion, enhanced the competencies of their families, and empowered the travelling special-education and conductor-teacher network to foster integrated education, ensure school attendance, and help each child achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
During the development period, numerous valuable professional materials were created. These include methodological guides to support the daily work of the travelling special-education network and the pedagogical service centres. A study was produced on the possibilities of developing digital competencies among children with severe and multiple disabilities; a methodological collection mapped various development opportunities; and a training programme was designed to assist in preparing individual development plans for students in integrated education.
Another key pillar of the project was teacher training: 108 teachers participated in 17 training courses. This high number clearly reflects the professionals’ openness to new methods and pedagogical approaches. In addition, the knowledge-sharing programmes and sensitisation trainings played an important role in further harmonising the work of teachers, educational professionals and members of the support network. The various interdisciplinary and network conferences sparked new dialogues, strengthening the role of public education in promoting equal opportunities on a long-term, wide-reaching basis.
The open days at the Unified Special Education Methodology Institution in Pásztó offered a special opportunity for families and professionals to connect more closely. Teachers’ creativity also shone through as they created developmental tools from recycled materials, which then travelled around the county as part of a mobile exhibition, inspiring other institutions along the way.
Another significant achievement of the project was the acquisition of modern ICT and developmental equipment. The investment—worth nearly HUF 70 million—provides a technological foundation that enables children to develop in a personalised, supportive and inspiring environment, using methods best suited to their individual needs.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project EFOP-3.1.6-16-2017-00011
under the Human Resource Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
