Mechatronikai Szakközépiskola, Budapest, Hungary

The Mechatronika Technical Secondary School is situated in the 11th district, in the south-west of the Hungarian Capital. The first objective of the school is to prepare students for the final examination (GCSE), the second is to teach basic of the electronics and electrotechnics trade for those who would like to continue their studies, either at colleges or universities. The school has about 50 teachers and 450 pupils. 60% of the students come from the agglomeration. 40% of them are disadvantaged they live in extended families with 3-4 children in small villages and communities.

There are a lot of patchwork families, one parent families with very low income. Other problem is that the parents have only low level of education. We have some minority/ Rroma/ students and boys of refuges from Afghanistan. The number of foreigners is growing up: We have Mongolian, Russian, Romanian, Slovak, Thai students. They all have special pedagogic needs too. The relation between our students is generally quite good.

Besides teaching we try to help our students, especially the disadvantaged ones develop not only their basic skills, but also social, cultural, problem solving skills, creativity, etc. and what is very important for students from socially problematic layers - to gain more self-confidence and develop their personality as European citizens.

We will take part in the project as partners in order to make students and teachers aware of the importance of their active participation in building a sustainable society, that is to maintain a balance between the human need to improve lifestyle and preserve the environment on which we and future generations depend. We will work together on elaborating common plans and strategies to develop a healthy environment. Meeting people from different countries, social backgrounds, interests and working together will strengthen the feelings of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature.