Background information

The war situation in Ukraine is causing many people to leave their country to protect their lives. Luxembourg, like other European countries, grants them the status of "beneficiary of temporary protection". Schooling for Ukrainian refugee children and young people is a legal obligation.

The Ministry of Education, Children and Youth is now doing everything possible to cope with this unprecedented increase in the number of newcomers and to offer schooling adapted to the diversity of Ukrainian pupils' profiles. In contrast to previous waves of refugee influxes, most recently in 2015, the public education system now has international schools that allow for a more flexible language offer, e.g. English sections. Public international provision will be at the heart of the scheme for Ukrainian refugee pupils. The Ministry of Education's Service for the Education of Foreign Children (SECAM) has set up a one-stop counter for families from Ukraine (The objective of the "one-stop counter" is to provide a single point of contact for all requests).

Content of measure

Children and young people are welcomed at school as soon as the immigration procedures laid down by the Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Health have been completed. Parents who have contacted the local authorities or the secondary schools directly are invited to contact the Service for the Education of Foreign Children (SECAM) for guidance.

Schooling for Ukrainian refugee children and young people is mainly organised by six international state schools. These schools run English language reception classes specifically for Ukrainian pupils. English was chosen because Ukrainian pupils learn it from the third grade. In a second phase, when the children are ready, they can join a regular international class. Depending on the age of the pupils and as their learning progresses, a second language will be added, German or French. In exceptional cases, pupils whose level allows it will be able to join a regular international class directly. For this purpose, additional places have been created in existing classes in international schools.

New classes will be opened in the six international schools as well as in other school buildings in the region ( secondary schools and basic schools). Classes in the branches will also be run by the international schools. Depending on needs and demand, Ukrainian children will also be able to attend local schools. They will be taught in German or French.

For children of pre-school age (3-5 years, cycle 1 of the Luxembourg basic school), parents will be offered enrollment in a basic school in their commune of residence.

Use of measure

Approximately 900 Ukrainian students are registered and 1,500 are expected in the coming months by the Ministry of Education.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors) Parents

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public employment service Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners are not involved.

Views and reactions

To educate these new students, there is an increased need for teachers. In order to recruit new teachers, the Ministry has informed the deputies of the Education Committee that a bill has been introduced to hire additional teachers. The bill also provides for the hiring of 80 Ukrainian intercultural mediators.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 18 March 2022: National education system welcomes Ukrainian student (men.public.lu)