- Left wants refugee children in regular schools
The Left party in the Berlin House of Representatives is calling for more efforts to enable refugee children and young people to attend school regularly and receive adequate education. "If school-age children have to live in mass accommodations and are also schooled there, I consider that a catastrophe," faction leader Anne Helm told the German Press Agency.
"They don't even come into contact with educational institutions in this city, with society as a whole." This is unacceptable, and the responsible authorities in the Senate need to work better. Because the consequences for the personal development of the affected children, who are already in an exceptional situation after their flight experience and need more support to integrate into society, are unpredictable. "We don't know when, for example, Ukrainian children will be able to return, or if they will return at all," said Left co-faction leader Tobias Schulze. "Many may also stay here permanently." In kindergarten and especially school, the foundations for the future life of these children are laid. "If we know that, we must not have any doubt that they must receive the same chances and the same school education as all other children."
According to Schulze, there are still reserves at schools to accommodate refugee children. "Not all schools are equally full. There are very full schools, but there are also schools with smaller classes, especially in the primary school area."
At the same time, there is no doubt that there is a shortage of school places affecting all Berliners. "It's not just refugee children who don't have a school place at the moment, but there are also other children waiting for school places and not being educated as necessary," Schulze complained.
Therefore, Helm added, both short-term solutions in schools and continued investment in new school places are needed. "Our concern is that now, even with the school construction offensive, cuts could be made, although more pace should actually be picked up. We must not fall back into the time when we ran all the infrastructures on a wear-and-tear basis, including school places."
The ongoing migration of refugee children requires more attention towards their education. As Schlze mentioned, there are still available resources in schools to accommodate refugee children, ensuring they receive equal opportunities.
The long-term effects of the migration on these children's education and integration into society are unclear, making it crucial for schools to provide adequate support and facilities for their learning.
