Only three in one class. Capacities in schools for Ukrainian children are running out
Mojmír Dunděra, the director of the Dědina primary school, described the admission of a Ukrainian schoolboy to the class. “First there will be a phone call or email directly from the parents, sometimes in Russian, Czech or Ukrainian. Or people come in person, fill out an application and make an appointment, ”describes Dunděra.
“I’m dusting off the Russian I once learned. I will invite the whole group, sometimes it’s just a mother with a child, other times a group of adults who have children in charge, “explains Dunděra.
During more than a month of war in Ukraine, he heard several personal stories. It finds out what class the children went to, how they learned and whether they have a personal problem or specificity. Only then does it look at the list of classes and numbers. He discusses possible entry with teachers who teach in the class.
The school includes inclusive education, with two to six children in each class requiring a special approach. Therefore, the school cannot be filled to full capacity, as the quality of education would fall sharply. The principal can take a maximum of three Ukrainian children into the class. He then calls the parents and informs them of the verdict. “In the first place is the enrollment of Czech children so that we can accept Czech children from the catchment area. The second criterion is the school’s educational plan, “said the principal.
First we have to find places for Czech children, from schools in Prague 6
“Ukrainian parents are very polite, very grateful. When I refuse their child that I unfortunately have no place, they absolutely understand. “The director described his experience to parents who want to immediately appeal to us from Czech differences.”
According to him, 770 children attended the Dědina primary school in the middle of the last week of March and the last 29 places were available for Ukrainian children.
No school supplies
Communication in class is not entirely easy for Czech teachers. Rely on one of my classmates to help with the translation. “Younger children adapt socially well and learn Czech very quickly. The older ones will use English or the help of classmates, we have Vietnamese, Chinese, Russians in the classroom as their shared language. It has a social benefit for Czech children, they see the personal stories of those who come from the war, it is absolutely authentic, “says Dunděra.
Ukrainian children do not bring any school supplies. Some are even still in contact with their former class at home through distance learning, which took place during the covid.
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The founder of the school, the city district of Prague 6, plans to employ Ukrainian teachers from September, but first he must arrange intensive Czech language lessons for them. “We can commit a qualification agreement if I provide them with a Czech language course so that they do not leave us from September,” said Marie Kubíková (ODS), councilor for education in Prague 6. From September, various vacant buildings in the city could be used to expand capacities, for example by church organizations. According to Kubíková, however, a change in the law is needed so that these spaces can be re-approved for classrooms.