Dropping out of school puts young people at high risk of social exclusion and unemployment, and students often learn the skills they need to stay in education during their childhood. With support from the European Social Fund (ESF), the ‘CLAS’ project helped 480 elementary and middle school pupils in Réunion, France to cultivate the learning habits and attitudes they will need in order to persevere in education as they grow older.

‘CLAS’ helped children to discover study methods that work for them individually. Working in small groups, teachers supported pupils to acquire a love of learning and discovery, as well as organisational techniques that will set them up for success. By helping the pupils to discover and practice expressive activities, like music, singing, dancing and body expression, the project facilitated the cultural learning that children need for academic and social success.

The benefits of the intervention were not only apparent in the classroom, but also at home, as one mum of an eight-year-old pupil observed: ‘Wendy concentrates better. She listens better to what I say to her.’ She also related that because of the project, ‘I understood how to help Wendy with her homework.’

The project also tutored parents on how to support their children’s learning throughout their school lives. One of the elementary school teachers who worked on the project said, ‘I was able to explain how I work in the class and how to use the help sheets so that they can [assist their] children to progress.’

Both parents and teachers value highly the ESF funded project, with one teacher saying, ‘this action must continue because it really helps the students in their school career.’