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After traumatic experiences with flight and war, the children should be able to go to school without fear.
Since yesterday, three Ukrainian refugee children have also been going to school in Eschlikon, Thurgau. The refugee family found shelter with relatives in the community. The school in Eschlikon had three days last week to prepare for the new students from the war zone, says headmaster Thomas Minder. “It was about welcoming the family, doing an admissions interview, preparing everything within the class and also preparing the class for it.” In addition, special German courses were organized for the children.
I think children from the Ukraine who go to school here are very well received in the existing classes.
Children have a lot of compassion
Principal Minder notes that many Swiss students react to the situation in Ukraine with a great deal of sympathy. “There are many children who want to help, collect donations so that there is money to help the children there. I think children from the Ukraine who go to school with us are very well received in the existing classes.»
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Ukrainian children are well received in schools.
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It is very important that the refugee children can attend classes without fear. The Swiss schools already gained experience a few years ago when many refugee children came from Syria, says Thomas Minder, who also chairs the Association of Swiss School Principals. “If a lot of children come, it’s about opening an integration class. If there are fewer, they are integrated into the classes. It was like this a few years ago with the children from Syria.”
Solidarity among communities
However, there is now a special challenge, because Ukrainian refugees can move freely in the Schengen area and they can enter Swiss villages and towns themselves directly without having to register in an asylum center beforehand. That is why Minder calls for solidarity among Swiss municipalities and cantons. Those communities that have to take care of more refugee children should be financially supported.