Czechia has demonstrated remarkable humanitarian efforts by seamlessly incorporating nearly 50,000 Ukrainian refugee children into its education system since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Education Ministry disclosed that in addition to this substantial integration, over 3,500 Ukrainian individuals have been facilitated to pursue higher education at Czech universities.

Since February 24, 2022, Czechia has embraced hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the aggression of the Russian forces. The Education Ministry’s proactive measures to assimilate Ukrainian refugees into the Czech educational framework have incurred an estimated expenditure of 2.89 billion crowns over the years 2022 and 2023. These measures encompassed the provision of language courses, deployment of Ukrainian teaching assistants, and other essential support initiatives.

Education Minister Mikulas Bek expressed gratitude towards the collaborative efforts of schools, teachers, and various stakeholders involved in securing a promising future for Ukrainian children within the Czech educational landscape. The ministry’s financial allocations have notably facilitated language education for Ukrainian youth, deployment of Ukrainian teaching assistants, and adaptations in entrance exams to accommodate applicants from Ukraine.

In the ongoing academic year, Ukrainian refugee children represent a significant proportion across various educational tiers, comprising 1.6 percent in kindergartens, 3.7 percent in primary schools, 1 percent in secondary schools, and 2.5 percent in conservatories. The ministry’s emphasis has primarily been on fostering the inclusion of Ukrainian refugee children in mainstream education, employing Ukrainian teaching assistants to aid in this integration process.

Continuing its support, the ministry has earmarked substantial funding to sustain Ukrainian assistant positions in schools, totaling over 700 full-time positions across kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools. Financial assistance to schools for employing Ukrainian assistants is ongoing, with a projected allocation of approximately 200 million crowns until the commencement of the new school year in September 2024.

Looking ahead, the ministry is proactively planning further adjustments to streamline the integration process for Ukrainian children, including the prospect of recognizing Czech education upon their potential return to Ukraine. Initiatives such as universal testing of Czech language skills and bolstering the capacity of Czech language teachers aim to enhance educational outcomes for Ukrainian youth in Czech schools. The ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that the educational journey of Ukrainian children in Czechia is fruitful and that they are well-equipped for their future endeavors, whether in Czechia or upon their return to Ukraine.

Article by Prague Forum