04-07-16 Ministry prepares educational programme for refugee children

In response to a parliamentary question regarding the “Education of Migrants in Greece” to the education minister,  tabled by New Democracy MPs Theodoros Fortsakis and Maximos Harakopoulos on 9 June, Minister Nikos Filis issued the following reply:

Considering the International Convention on the Rghts of the Child, which Greece ratified in December 1992 (law 2101, Government Gazette 192, Volume A of 2/12/1992), and specifically Articles 22, 28, 29, and 30, which regard refugee children and their education, the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs has planned actions for the support, care and education of the children of refugees in our country.

According to a ministerial decision of 18/03/2016 -  regarding “Creation and appointment of members of the Committee for the Support of Refugee Children, as well as the creation and the appointment of members of the Academic Team and Artistic Team, to support the work of the Committee for the Support of Refugee Children (ESPP)” -  the committee will undertake the following areas of activity:

-       The registration of children of kindergarten, school and post-school ages (age, family status, level of education) with the aim of determining support needs, care and education, human resources and infrastructure.

-       Registering refugees who could work or volunteer for  the educational structures and activities, based on certified educational qualifications, language and other skills.

       -   The recording of related initiatives by Greek and international organizations, and pursuing the creation of collaborations and the listing of good practices and personnel.

        - The education and training of personnel that will take part in these activities.

         - Every other staff action regarding the drafting of related action plans, the organization and creation of actions and of the funding that remains to be determined.

In order to assist the committee’s work, two more committees have been established, one on academic and the other on artistic matters, with instructors specializing in cross-cultural education, pedagogy, sociology and human geography, chosen from all of Greece’s universities, pre-school training and many other specializations.

The activities of the committee are split in two periods: actions to be completed over the summer and activities during the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.

This summer, the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, in cooperation with international organizations, NGOs and ministry personnel as well as with other ministries, will organise athletic and artistic events as well as a programme for familiarisation with new technologies.

In addition, the first course in Greek as a foreign language will be organized for children of all ages, including adolescents. These activities will take place both within and outside migrant reception centres, with flexibility in implementation, based on the particular situation in the area and at its reception centres.

Emphasis will be placed on familiarising refugees with the Greek educational system.

Education officials and teachers will be trained in special issues that arise in the education of refugees and in ways to resolve them.

Appropriate spaces will be created and collaborations pursued in the coming school year in order to induct refugee children in the Greek education system and ensure their comprehensive educational development.