Summer German courses required for young refugees
Ukraine war
In order to promote the integration of young refugees from the Ukraine, volunteers from the state of Salzburg are demanding German remedial classes for children and young people during the summer holidays. What has been learned should not be unlearned over the holidays. The country is already in talks with the ministry, they say.
Around 340 children and young people from the Ukraine are currently going to school in Salzburg. Another 40 will join us after Easter. Most sit in regular classes and receive German remedial lessons.
“Don’t start from scratch again after the holidays”
Since the German skills learned are not lost over the summer holidays, calls for a separate summer school for Ukrainian refugee children have recently been made. “That’s important to me,” says the volunteer, Wilhelm Höpfinger. He helped set up two private German courses for Ukraine refugees.
Volunteers call for more integration measures for refugees
Independent volunteer groups have been organized to help Ukrainian refugees for over a month. You are now in favor of special language support for young refugees during the summer holidays and for a contact point for Ukraine refugees who are willing to work.
Any considerations are already being made on the political side, says Education Minister Daniela Gutschi (ÖVP).
“Solution needed for Austria, no Salzburg going it alone”
“There is a very important coordination with the Ministry of Education. Because such a summer school has to be uniform throughout Austria. That depends on the number of students. Whether additional offers are only needed for the Ukrainian schoolchildren or whether these children and young people can be integrated into the summer school offers that are taking place.”
Integration measures for adults are also planned
The state is also increasing the number of language assistants, adds Gutschi. But extracurricular activities are also needed to make it easier for adults to learn the German language. Talks are already taking place with Andrea Klambauer (NEOS), the state councilor responsible for adult education, says Gutschi.