What are the most important aspects to consider when educating foreigners in our country? Does the system of educating migrants in Poland need to be modernized? These were some of the key questions discussed by the participants of the first Sirius 2.0 network meeting.
The meeting required the participation of experts and was attended by representatives of over a dozen public institutions and non-governmental organisations involved in the education of foreigners. The starting point of the discussions was a presentation on the preliminary diagnosis of public policy in the field of the broadly understood area of the education of migrants.
Participants discussed legally regulated solutions, including the provision of additional support in learning the Polish language, adapting examinations for students not fluent in Polish, as well as various organisational changes to facilitate education. Among the cited areas that require monitoring and action were: the lack of developed diagnosis and psychological and pedagogical support for foreign pupils and the lack of a comprehensive offer of support for their parents. There is also no well-developed information for parents about the Polish education system, the nature of education in Poland and the rights and responsibilities of pupils and their parents or guardians. As a result, certain difficulties arise in contacts between school administrators and parents already at the school enrollment stage.
The Sirius 2.0 project will be implemented in Poland as a "round table", which encourages the participation of not only decision-makers or educators, but also of migrants themselves. The first stage of the project is an attempt to identify the most important problems and aspects of educating foreigners in our country. As a result, a document will be produced to serve as the basis for further activities and work on needed practical solutions and proposals for reforms.
This was the first of four such meetings planned for 2018-2022.
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SIRIUS 2.0
SIRIUS is a European network of organisations and institutions engaged in the education of persons with a migrant background. The European Commission is providing financing for the activities of the network between 2018-2022. Its aim is to provide local support for the development of education for foreigners in EU countries by conducting research, exchanging experiences and working together in developing and implementing solutions in the education of migrants that adequately respond to the needs of a given Member State.
More information is available at: www.sirius-migrationeducation.org.