By the end of the first week of April, schools in the Algarve had already received close to 450 Ukrainian students. According to the regional education delegate, “even without vacancies”, young people from Ukraine “are always welcomed” and distributed among classes, with schools in Portimão, Albufeira and Loulé being the ones that have already received more refugees.
In an interview with Sul Informação, Alexandre Lima explained that, at the moment, the main role is more «through social integration than curricular».
Therefore, all students are included in the Portuguese Non-Mother Language (PLNM) program, «to facilitate the learning of Portuguese» and, from there, «to be able to learn more», he added.
Although data from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) show the arrival in the Algarve of approximately 1500 children and young people, Alexandre Lima clarifies that, in relation to schools, only students of compulsory school age are counted, that is, , between the ages of 6 and 18.
Asked about the integration characteristics of these students, the regional education delegate explains that it is a «duty of schools» to play a positive role in the integration of these age groups in Portugal and says that there has been «a great availability of the entire school community to help these children”.
According to Alexandre Lima, in Portimão, for example, there was even a student who «asked to change classes to help her Ukrainian colleagues» and a retired teacher who speaks Ukrainian came back to help.
«We know that language conditions integration, but attention is being paid», emphasizes the delegate.
In addition to curricular support, students who need it are also being monitored by the psychologists allocated to each group, guarantees Alexandre Lima, noting that teachers are attentive to assess the need for psychological support.
At national level, according to data recently revealed by the new Minister of Education, Portuguese schools have already received 1860 Ukrainian students.
In statements, after participating in a Council of Ministers of Education of the European Union (EU), in Luxembourg, João Costa stressed the concern to "work hard on the social and emotional skills of students", who "come in a context of war".
Comments