Assistance to Ukraine: Prague is setting up adaptation groups for Ukrainian children
Children, who usually run away from the horrors of the war with Ukraine with their mothers and grandmothers, are often traumatized and frightened. Therefore, it is not entirely appropriate for them to start regular teaching, both in kindergartens and primary schools. The so-called adaptation groups should help with integration and also with language teaching, which are gradually emerging in almost all parts of the city. They should also help their mothers, who would gain space and time to start looking for a job, or they could be directly involved in adaptation stories, where they would get a job on a contract.
The establishment of these groups is also supported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA). “It simply came to our notice then. We count 300 million,“Explained the head of the MLSA Jana Skalková. “If absolutely necessary, we will be able to raise the subsidy to 400 million,” she added.
“Adaptation groups are a great benefit for children. They are among “their”, but at the same time they are learning the Czech language and they get to know the new environment so that it is as stressful as possible for them. It is important to work with them, given that they have a really big trauma. Thus, a child psychologist should also be available to the group, “explains school psychologist Ivana Popová for Blesk.
The top ten are in class
The words of a school psychologist are also confirmed by an internship in one of the schools in Prague 10. “Children go to classes where they introduce other pupils of their age during practical subjects for which language is not so much neededsuch as physical education, computer science, English or art education. And if they have a subject they don’t understand so much yet, they go to a Czech classroom instead. So half the children integrate and get to know each other, half of them often devote themselves to Czech“Described the director of the Solidarity school, Karin Marques.
Prague 10 is primarily trying to accept Ukrainian children straight into Czech classes, but the capacity is already beginning to run out. “We are preparing adaptation / integration groups that will work in primary schools in the afternoon. We plan to add them to children who, due to capacity reasons, will not be able to attend education in regular classes. Currently, two groups are being formed for preschool children, and we are arranging the creation of groups for children in primary schools as well, ”says Prague Ham spokesman Jan Hamrník.
Complications with finances for adaptation staff
Adaptation groups are also being set up in other parts of the city. For example, Prague 2 has already set up 5 adaptation groups, of which 4 at primary schools and one at kindergarten. “The total planned capacity is 145 seats. However, we are afraid that we will not be able to satisfy all those interested. Unfortunately, the capacity of our school facilities is limited, the vast majority of schools are located in historic buildings. But we are not giving up and we are actively looking for other opportunities to open adaptation groups, “says Prague 2 spokeswoman Andrea Zoulová.
“The groups are led either by our pedagogy, assistants or Ukrainian pedagogy, this is mainly due to the personnel capabilities of a particular school. The whole situation is complicated by the fact that that the teaching staff of the adaptation groups must not be paid from the school budget for wages. This means that we must provide funding from our own resources, “he adds.
Cooperation with DDM
Prague 13 again cooperates with the House of Children and Youth in the formation of groups. “Adaptation groups were established under the House of Children and Youth, we prepare others as needed and they are located in primary schools. At present, there are about 50 preschool children in them, other classes are ready. School and preschool schools are led by Czech and Ukrainian teachers, “said Prague 13 spokeswoman Lucie Steinerová.