Czechia gets praise for building inclusive environment for Ukrainian children
After Russia attacked Ukraine, more than one thousand days ago, Czechia welcomed more Ukrainian refugees relative to population than any other country. Among them were thousands and thousands of children who needed an education. Based on the findings of the Council of Europe, the country did a good job.
Mapping Study on Children of Ukraine’s Access to Education provides a detailed analysis of how member states have supported Ukrainian refugee children’s educational needs since the war began. Among these nations, Czechia has made significant strides in providing access to education, with an approach that balances practicality with a focus on inclusion.
Czechia’s Approach to Refugee Education
Czechia hosts the highest ratio of Ukrainian refugees in Europe, with 32.9 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants. This has placed considerable pressure on its education system. Nevertheless, the country has introduced policies aimed at ensuring that Ukrainian children can access education and integrate into the community.
One of the cornerstones of Czechia’s strategy is a simplified enrollment process. Ukrainian children can register in schools without complete documentation, such as birth certificates or prior school records, and admissions remain open throughout the academic year. These measures ensure that even families in difficult circumstances can find a place for their children in school.
Another key initiative is the employment of over 700 Ukrainian-speaking teaching assistants in Czech schools. These assistants not only help bridge linguistic and cultural gaps but also provide crucial support to students navigating a new educational system. This measure exemplifies Czechia’s recognition of the importance of maintaining a connection to children’s cultural and linguistic heritage.
Addressing Barriers and Challenges
Language acquisition remains a significant hurdle for many Ukrainian students. To address this, Czech schools provide supplementary language courses and leverage resources like the Learning Passport platform, which offers educational materials in both Czech and Ukrainian. These efforts aim to help students achieve proficiency in Czech, enabling them to fully participate in their new school communities.
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Czechia has also prioritized the psychological well-being of Ukrainian students. Schools offer psycho-social support through trained staff, individual support plans, and teacher training programs designed to help educators identify and address trauma. These programs reflect an understanding of the broader needs of refugee children, beyond academic success.
The practice of “double schooling,” where students attend local schools while continuing with online classes from Ukraine, remains a challenge. This approach, while helping families stay connected to their home country’s curriculum, can hinder full integration into the host country’s education system. Czechia is working with Ukraine’s Ministry of Education to address this issue, encouraging parents to prioritize local schooling and ensuring smooth recognition of educational achievements across systems.
Building an Inclusive Environment
Czechia’s efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for Ukrainian students demonstrate its commitment to integration. Schools emphasize collaborative approaches, such as peer learning, which encourages communication and cultural exchange among students. Programs also include joint extracurricular activities and family engagement initiatives, strengthening ties between refugee families and local communities.
The employment of Ukrainian-speaking staff and the provision of individual support plans highlight Czechia’s focus on meeting the specific needs of Ukrainian students. These measures also contribute to the broader inclusivity of the school environment, benefiting all students by promoting tolerance and understanding.
A Balanced Path Forward
While challenges remain, Czechia’s response provides valuable insights into how education systems can adapt to crises. By focusing on accessibility, inclusion, and support, the country has laid a foundation for effective integration while addressing the immediate needs of Ukrainian refugee children.
Czechia’s experience demonstrates that inclusive education is not only possible in times of crisis but also essential. By prioritizing collaboration and long-term planning, the country has offered a model that other nations may look to for inspiration, balancing pragmatic responses with a commitment to fostering shared learning and community cohesion.
