The project titled "Enhancing Student Public and Social Engagement through the Improvement of Social Welfare Environments," executed by the "Umid" Support to Social Development Public Union ("Umid" SSD PU) with financial support from the Agency for the State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been successfully concluded.
As part of this initiative, two groups/clubs, namely "Music and Drama" and "Art and Culture," each comprising 15 members, were established at secondary school No. 280 after M. Mehdiyev in Hovsan settlement, Surakhani district, Baku, and school No. 262 in Turkan settlement, Khazar district. Additionally, two groups/clubs named "Logic" and "Foreign Language," with 15 members each, were formed at the secondary school. To bolster the leadership skills of these group/club leaders or extracurricular associations, comprehensive training sessions were conducted focusing on "Group Formation and Development," "Event Organization," and "Communication and its Significance in Human Interaction." The training sessions attracted 85 participants, comprising 29 men and 56 women, who actively engaged and acquired fresh knowledge and proficiencies. They gained insights into the concept of "group," its various types, developmental stages, successful event organization methodologies, effective risk and time management during event coordination, diverse communication forms, communication etiquette, and constructive dialogue practices.
Furthermore, three round table discussions convened, involving 111 participants, comprising 21 men and 90 women. These sessions explored how the established groups/clubs would foster the development of creativity, critical thinking, and language skills among students. Additionally, crucial supplementary resources required for these endeavors were identified during these discussions.
Additionally, the two clubs established at secondary school No. 280 were furnished with six easels, two microphone tripods, one white projector screen, and five sets of national dance costumes for boys. Furthermore, the associations formed at secondary school No. 262 benefited from the acquisition of audio amplifiers (10 units), chess sets (12 units), and logic test books (9 units). A total of 150 individuals reaped the benefits of this implemented project.
To ensure the sustainability of this endeavor, it is imperative to elevate the role and participation in activities such as training both students and educational staff, enhancing their skills, boosting educator motivation, and perpetuating the adoption of this educational model within institutions. Considering these factors, the plan is to engage group leaders in post-project training and guidance sessions, partially compensated (50%) while the remainder funded from the school budget (50%). Moreover, the successful piloting of this model instills confidence that it will wield a multidimensional impact in the future with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education, the Agency for the State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, foreign donor resources, and potentially expand to other educational institutns.