Poverty is more than just a lack of money; it often presents barriers in various life domains, including education. To address this issue and dispel misconceptions, the equal opportunities department of the city of Geel and Al-Arm vzw have created a lesson package for students in secondary education. This package includes a video with testimonials from a student and a parent, a statement game, and supplementary teaching materials for educators.
The lesson package encourages students to critically examine their own prejudices, listen to different perspectives, and engage in respectful dialogue. The emphasis is on understanding, dialogue, and nuance, rather than finding a single correct answer.
Alderman for social policy Pieter Cowé highlights the importance of the experiences of people directly affected by poverty. "People in poverty possess significant resilience and talents to improve their situation, yet they often encounter barriers others do not. Poverty is not an individual choice but a consequence of societal barriers and exclusion. Through this lesson package, we give a voice to those experiencing poverty and help young people look beyond prejudices."
Alderman for education, diversity, and inclusion Vera Celis sees a crucial role for schools. "Education is a powerful space to discuss societal themes. By encouraging young people to reflect on prejudices and exclusion, we strengthen their critical thinking and empathy. This package provides teachers with concrete tools to address a sensitive topic in an accessible way."
The official announcement of the lesson package took place during a press event at Atheneum GO! Geel. Students engaged with the material under the guidance of teachers Conny Berghmans and Mohamed Bougallab. The video and the complete lesson package are now freely available to schools via the website of the city of Geel.
With this launch, the city of Geel also draws attention to the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17th. This day globally signifies solidarity with people living in poverty and the fight against social exclusion. In Geel, various free activities will take place on this day, including a meet-and-greet, a privilege walk, a torchlight procession, and performances by the choir ‘Verwante Stemmen’ and Guido Belcanto.
