Authors
- Barbara Fistonić — Fran Franković Primary School, Extended Professional Program for Students with Behavioral Disorders, Rijeka, Croatia
- Petra Štimac — Fran Franković Primary School, Extended Professional Program for Students with Behavioral Disorders, Rijeka, Croatia
Article type:
Review
Abstract:
In our fifteen years of social-pedagogical work in special education classes at Fran Franković Elementary School in Rijeka, working with students with learning difficulties, we have identified several obstacles these students face in their development.
After completing their education in regular high schools, many of them remain unemployed, spend more time at home, go out less frequently, and become socially isolated, often relying on their families for care. Participation in the mentoring program has helped to bridge or at least alleviate these challenges. After three years in the “Friends” mentoring program, these individuals report feeling more satisfied and better integrated into society and the local community than before.
It is crucial to continue promoting and developing mentoring programs for individuals with difficulties to improve their employment prospects and ensure more meaningful and higher-quality leisure time.
Keywords:
Keywords: mentoring program; social inclusion; activities.