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Bratislava – In the process of integrating Ukrainian children into Slovak schools, positive changes have been achieved. This was stated by the Commissioner for Children Jozef MikloÅ¡ko to TASR. He considers it a fundamental step in their inclusion that from the next school year, compulsory schooling will also apply to Ukrainian children living in Slovakia. This state was also anticipated by this year’s study of the European Commission (EC) entitled “Integration of Displaced Children from Ukraine into EU Educational Systems 2023-2024”.
Mikloško noted that he perceives the integration process not as an improvement of the existing system, but as the creation of completely new approaches and supportive infrastructure. According to him, the key goal is for these children not only to know the Slovak language and be educated, but also to feel like a full part of our society with equal opportunities for the future.
“If we neglect this area, we risk the emergence of deep social problems in the future,” predicted MikloÅ¡ko.
He also clarified that the Office of the Commissioner for Children has been intensely involved in the integration of Ukrainian children into Slovak schools since the start of the war in Ukraine. According to Mikloško, integration in Slovakia involved about 30,000 Ukrainian children, approximately one-third of whom already attended Slovak schools, while many were educated through online teaching.
According to MikloÅ¡ko, they face specific challenges, especially when it comes to young people over the age of 16. “In Ukraine, at this age, they are already considered adults, but here they have not yet reached adulthood, which creates specific requirements for their integration,” he assessed.
The EC study “Integration of Displaced Children from Ukraine into EU Educational Systems 2023-2024” highlighted that 23 EU member states that responded to this survey mobilized support for students, families, teachers, and educational institutions at all levels of education and training. In March 2024, temporary protection was granted in EU member states to 4.2 million people from Ukraine, including 1.3 million minors. It is estimated that 700,000 children were enrolled in schools across the EU, from preschool education to higher secondary education.
According to the study, in Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Italy, school attendance is compulsory under the same conditions as for other children. In Finland, France, Latvia, Hungary, and Malta, it is compulsory under certain conditions. In Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden, enrollment is not mandatory, but measures to support school attendance have been introduced. Poland planned to introduce compulsory enrollment from September 2024, and Slovakia was preparing a gradual introduction from 2025 according to the EC report. (October 26)
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