FRBV25 PSLL - RESPECT : Diversity Conference “les vélos de Boris”

While we were hosting a group of Greek and Italian students in our school, a pupil from 3rd form in SEGPA (Section d'Enseignement Général et Professionnel Adapté) who was taking part in the exchange presented a project launched by their class and teachers. These pupils who have learning difficulties and special needs follow a multiskilled specialized curriculum. They are sometimes underrated and back in 2022, the film "Les SEGPA" sparked controversy, portraying the pupils in this specialized section as retarded people who want nothing to do with their lives. The aim of the meeting that day was to show that these young people are able to carry out major projects.

With the help of their teacher, they have been preparing a long bicycle ride from Le Touquet to Coudekerque-Branche, i.e. 15O km in five days. They started from scratch ; one of them could not ride a bike. They managed the project as a small business company, looking for sponsors and selling objects of their own creation to raise money. They practised regularly, also learning how to travel in a group and to repair a bike.

It is the third time that their teacher has initiated this type of project. This year, they wanted to beat last year's record and ride 40km longer. When they had finished explaining their plans, the other students in the room asked them questions to know even more.

Finally, a Plickers test was organized to check what the Erasmus+ students had learnt from that experience.

The students were really interested in the experience. They realised that with a lot of determination and courage you can achieve great things. The students from SEGPA are often underrated, but the prejudices did not prevent them from believing in their teacher's project and joining it with all their heart and soul. This was really an example for the Erasmus+ students, working on the values of Olympism, which are after all civic,humanitarian and universal values.