Today, the Flemish Parliament unanimously approved a new emergency decree with educational measures for Ukrainian refugees. In order to find more teachers, Ukrainian teachers will, for example, be able to be paid if they teach in emergency villages or Flemish schools. This is exceptional, because normally their diploma must first be recognized and they must be proficient in Dutch. In order to lower the threshold to adult education, the registration fee for refugees from Ukraine will be dropped.
The large influx of refugees from Ukraine is putting a great deal of pressure on education. The majority parties in the Flemish Parliament previously voted a first emergency decree, including strengthening OKAN education and accelerating extra resources for schools that take in Ukrainian children.
Parliament has now given the green light for a decree by MPs Koen Daniëls (N-VA), Loes Vandromme (CD&V) and Jean-Jacques De Gucht (Open Vld) with a new package of measures that is mainly aimed at deploying Ukrainian teachers.
This makes it possible for Ukrainian teachers who fled to Flanders before the war to teach here and to be paid for it. This applies to education in emergency villages as well as in schools. This requires an exceptional measure, because normally the competent government service (NARIC) must first recognize the diploma. But it is simply not easy for refugees from a country at war to submit all the required documents in the short term.
Summer offer
The decree also provides that schools and local authorities can organize a summer offer for refugees from Ukraine. The aim is to provide refugees with tailor-made courses for at least 5 full or 10 half days. The organization is in the hands of a school or a local government. Participation is voluntary and free of charge for children and young people. Flanders provides 22.5 euros per child per half day.
Furthermore, the registration fee in adult education for Ukrainian refugees will be cancelled. Just like asylum seekers, people with temporary protection status receive a full exemption.
Emergency decree to provide extra support to Ukrainian students and teachers
Ukrainian refugees receive Dutch lessons: “Flamandsky is difficult” (+)
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