Schools get extra resources for Ukrainian children | War Ukraine and Russia

In addition to reception and housing, education for Ukrainian refugees is a major challenge for the Flemish government. Before the Easter holidays, Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA) agreed with the majority parties and the education sector that an emergency decree would be issued in order to be able to deal with this.

For example, it was agreed that schools will receive extra resources more quickly for the extra students they take in. Schools will also receive additional resources to expand their capacity. For example, the Flemish government will bear all costs for temporary modular units. In addition, schools are also provided with pedagogical tools and the Centers for Pupil Guidance (CLBs) receive extra support for trauma counseling.

The Flemish Parliament has now given the green light for an emergency decree with a first series of education measures. “First of all, we need extra capacity in the schools. This decree provides additional resources, among other things, for renting existing buildings and modular units as well as for personnel,” explains N-VA MP Koen Daniëls.

According to Loes Vandromme (CD&V), the decree “makes an even more flexible way of education possible for non-Dutch speaking newcomers from Ukraine, both in regular and adult education”.

For Jean-Jacques De Gucht (Open Vld) it is “only normal” that schools receive extra resources. “As a democratic country, we must avoid that children who are confronted with unprecedented aggression in their home country are also affected in their development opportunities,” said De Gucht.

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