PROPOSAL FOR CHILDREN WITH A MIGRANT BIOGRAPHY WITHDRAWN - Filenews 5/3 by Evangelia Sizopoulou
Both the treatment by the Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education, and the position of the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, Elena Pericleous, led the chairman of the Parliament's Education Committee, Pavlos Mylonas, to withdraw a bill he submitted regarding students with a migrant biography. The purpose of this proposal was for children with a migrant biography and primary school age and above, to be accepted to attend a public primary school, provided that they attend Greek language courses offered by the competent Authority. Also, it should be established that the children have a good knowledge of the Greek language after passing a relevant examination organized by the competent Authority.
In the context of the discussion in the Education Committee, the representative of the Pedagogical Institute referred to the actions taken to support children with a migrant background, stressing that these are implemented within the educational system and that a structure outside is not possible. This is because it is mandatory for children to attend school unconditionally.
For her part, the Commissioner for Children explained that the "examination" to which reference was made cannot be a filter for the admission of children or for their exclusion from school. Ms. Pericleous also referred to relevant contracts on these issues, pointing out that the proposal in question was not compatible with them. "The very idea that children have to pass an exam to enter school is problematic," he said.
Mr. Mylonas stated that he withdrew the proposal, as it was considered unconstitutional. As he explained, the purpose of the proposal was to support children with a migrant biography to know the Greek language with procedures that would be decided by the competent Authority. "I did not consider the evaluation of children to be an examination," he said, adding that "the evaluation of children can be done in various ways, so that they are included in classes based on the ability to communicate and the knowledge of the Greek language."
However, all those present agreed that there are problems and distortions that should be resolved in order to best support children with a migrant background who attend our education system.
