Luka is a child with developmental disabilities. Until recently, he felt excluded and unhappy, and a lack of support with his disabilities made it hard to realise his potential. Now, thanks to the ‘Go to school with a smile’ project, Luka is starting to engage with classmates and teachers.

Supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), the project works to ensure inclusive education, better social interactions and improved emotional wellbeing for 54 pupils with developmental disabilities. ‘Go to school with a smile’ operates at 21 mainstream primary and secondary schools across Brod-Posavina County, Croatia.

Specialised teaching assistants tailor their one-to-one support to pupils’ timetables and needs, focusing on helping them with communication skills, personal hygiene, sensory or motor tasks – such as moving around the school grounds, carrying their lunch trays – and taking part in lessons and extracurricular activities.

‘Since getting involved in the project my son has been coming home from school happy and satisfied because he is accepted by his classmates.’ says Marija, Luka’s mother. ‘He is able to follow the lessons and do his homework. He also got involved in extracurricular activities. As a parent, I am extremely satisfied.’

Thanks to the project, pupils with developmental disabilities like Luka are achieving their potential and have more fulfilling social lives – strengthening their independence and self-esteem in the process.