Migrant Children in Schools in Serbia – Barrier or Challenge for a New Beginning

Abstract

The inclusion of migrant children into the formal education system of the Republic of Serbia represents a long-term project implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development with the support of international organizations and civil society organizations. The education system of the Republic of Serbia in terms of their education faces two key challenges. The first challenge is that they are in transit through Serbia and the length of their stay unpredictable. Another challenge relates to the comprehensive approach and commitment system as a whole. Consequently, the subject of this paper is to identify the legal and institutional framework for the inclusion of migrant children into the formal education system, as well as the analysis of the situation in practice. The aim is to test the implementation of the previous model for the inclusion of migrant children into the formal education system of the Republic of Serbia. The aim of the work is concretized through specific that include the organization and realization of teaching in schools in combined classes of students, but also in the context of reception centers, as well as support to students through additional work after implementation in primary school. By examining the attitudes of all participants involved in the educational process (migrant children, teachers, school director and professional associates) contribute to reducing prejudice and stereotypes about migrant children, as well as the exercise of their rights in the education system. The applied methodology, which included surveys and semi-structured interviews, obtained the guidelines for the effective implementation of the existing normative framework aimed at successful integration of migrant children into society. The results suggest that migrant children in educational institutions acquire functional knowledge and skills in order to adapt to the new environment, socialization, stress relief, a sense of security and freedom.

Keywords

• migrant children
• formal education
• Republic of Serbia
• the legal framework
• Balkan migration route