Complex situations. What problems await Polish schools with the return of Ukrainian children
Date: 2024-09-02 Author: Michail Kovalenko Categories: WORLD
The government considers this a major challenge.
Polish Deputy Minister of Education Joanna Mucha told Polish media how Ukrainian students will study in Polish schools in the new academic year and what problematic issues may arise.
"The return of Ukrainian students to Polish schools will be a major challenge. A child who went to a Polish school two years ago, but left for various reasons, will return to school. And this will be a child who is already two years older. Perhaps they did not participate in the educational system for these two years, so they have a completely different mentality," the official explained.
Many refugee children continued their online education in the Ukrainian education system after leaving Ukraine, but Polish officials did not have the opportunity to control their attendance.
According to Joanna Mucha, teachers will need to assess what stage of education such students are at.
"There will be thousands of individual difficult situations, and we just have to be aware of this," she added.
The system of education for Ukrainian students in Polish schools has not yet been fully determined. As Joanna Mucha explained, Ukrainian children in Poland should study under a system that will be developed jointly with Ukrainian colleagues.
"The details of the education proposed by the Ukrainian side are currently known only in general terms. The Polish-Ukrainian commission will meet in the coming days," she said on August 28.
Representatives in the fields of history, geography, and three professors dealing with Polish-Ukrainian relations are being invited to participate in drawing up the joint program. Poland wants to develop a common approach with Ukraine to studying history concerning difficult periods in the relations between the two countries.
"Ukrainian children who are subject to compulsory education attend Polish schools, study the Polish curriculum in Polish with Polish teachers. Polish children who study abroad have the right to develop the Polish language and Polish culture, and Ukrainian children have the same right, so on Saturdays they will have the opportunity to take advantage of lessons prepared by the Ukrainian government," said Joanna Mucha.
Earlier, Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announced the study of the "Ukrainian educational component" in schools. It includes lessons in the Ukrainian language, history of Ukraine, and geography of Ukraine.
The Polish Ministry of Education warned Ukrainians about the introduction of compulsory education from September 1, 2024, on the observance of which financial assistance for children will depend.
In particular, we are talking about payments received by Ukrainian refugees:
"800+" - assistance in the amount of 800 zlotys (approximately 8,000 UAH) per month for each child under 18;
"Good Start" - in the amount of 300 zlotys (approximately 3,000 UAH) for preparation for school for one child.
This rule will come into force in June 2025, since applications for payments are accepted in advance.
An exception to the new rule for 2024/2025 will be made for students in the final grades of Ukrainian schools. They can continue to study online in the Ukrainian education system.
Polish Deputy Minister of Education Joanna Mucha told Polish media how Ukrainian students will study in Polish schools in the new academic year and what problematic issues may arise.
"The return of Ukrainian students to Polish schools will be a major challenge. A child who went to a Polish school two years ago, but left for various reasons, will return to school. And this will be a child who is already two years older. Perhaps they did not participate in the educational system for these two years, so they have a completely different mentality," the official explained.
Many refugee children continued their online education in the Ukrainian education system after leaving Ukraine, but Polish officials did not have the opportunity to control their attendance.
According to Joanna Mucha, teachers will need to assess what stage of education such students are at.
"There will be thousands of individual difficult situations, and we just have to be aware of this," she added.
What curriculum will Ukrainian children study under
"The details of the education proposed by the Ukrainian side are currently known only in general terms. The Polish-Ukrainian commission will meet in the coming days," she said on August 28.
Representatives in the fields of history, geography, and three professors dealing with Polish-Ukrainian relations are being invited to participate in drawing up the joint program. Poland wants to develop a common approach with Ukraine to studying history concerning difficult periods in the relations between the two countries.
"Ukrainian children who are subject to compulsory education attend Polish schools, study the Polish curriculum in Polish with Polish teachers. Polish children who study abroad have the right to develop the Polish language and Polish culture, and Ukrainian children have the same right, so on Saturdays they will have the opportunity to take advantage of lessons prepared by the Ukrainian government," said Joanna Mucha.
Earlier, Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announced the study of the "Ukrainian educational component" in schools. It includes lessons in the Ukrainian language, history of Ukraine, and geography of Ukraine.
What payments will depend on school duty
In particular, we are talking about payments received by Ukrainian refugees:
"800+" - assistance in the amount of 800 zlotys (approximately 8,000 UAH) per month for each child under 18;
"Good Start" - in the amount of 300 zlotys (approximately 3,000 UAH) for preparation for school for one child.
This rule will come into force in June 2025, since applications for payments are accepted in advance.
An exception to the new rule for 2024/2025 will be made for students in the final grades of Ukrainian schools. They can continue to study online in the Ukrainian education system.
