Background information

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine and a massive exodus of population, the temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine was activated by adopting the government decision on 9 March 2022 ( Decision establishing temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine ). The further Decree on the methods for ensuring the rights of persons enjoying temporary protection (24 March 2022) determined the rights of persons with temporary protection and applicants for temporary protection.

Refugees from Ukraine are endowed with the right to take part in education from pre-school to university level. The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants made the information on measures available through printed and online brochures, a website and a free call number.

The measure is limited to one year with two further possible extensions of six months.

Content of measure

In Slovenia, Ukrainian refugees have the right to receive an education from pre-school to university. Costs of kindergarten are covered by the state budget if the family has no income.

The Government Decree (adopted on 24 March 2022) enabled the enrolment of Ukrainian children into primary schools, secondary schools and university during the school year. In the absence of education certificates, schools are allowed to test previous knowledge through interviews and other possible ways of determining prior knowledge. Upon the Ministry of Education’s approval, schools may admit Ukrainian students under temporary protection beyond their limits of enrolment slots established before the war. For refugees from Ukraine, transportation and school meals are free of charge.

Use of measure

A month after the arrival of the first refugees, 131 children were admitted to 64 primary schools.

These measures facilitated a smooth integration of children into the education system from pre-school care to university. The children were well received, and reports on problems were rare. Only about half of Ukrainian refugee children are enrolled in Slovenian education; the rest allegedly participate in Ukrainian online education. The Ukrainian Ministry of Education confirmed that they will recognise foreign education when refugee children return home.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors) Migrants or refugees Students

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	European Funds National funds

Social partners

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

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

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

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

Involvement

The measure was adopted without prior consultation with social partners.

Views and reactions

In press releases, social partners expressed their solidarity with Ukrainian refugees. On the other hand, the media raise the question of unequal treatment of refugees on the ground of their origin. They asked why the ‘decent treatment’ of Ukraine refugees is not applied to all. In their letter, asylum seekers stressed double standards when Ukraine citizens and when other refugees are concerned. The state provided new beds and better food for Ukraine refugees in accommodation centres. Moreover, they are allowed to stay in private accommodations, have immediate access to work and receive income support, the privileges asylum seekers can only dream of. Asylum seekers thus demanded equal treatment, the right to work and access to the social system, the right to free movement, access to decent health care, decent housing in asylum centres and legal assistance to which they have otherwise the lawful right.

Sources

• 09 March 2022: Decision establishing temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine (Sklep o uvedbi začasne zaščite za razseljene osebe iz Ukrajine (pisrs.si)
• 24 March 2022: Access to the labour market and education for Ukraine refugees (www.dnevnik.si)
• 25 March 2022: Decree on the methods for ensuring rights of persons enjoying temporary protection (Uredba o načinu zagotavljanja pravic osebam z začasno zaščito (pisrs.si)
• 08 April 2022: Asylum seekers point to double standard (www.dnevnik.si)
• 07 May 2022: Many refugees do not know what rights they have (www.delo.si)
• 02 November 2022: Ministry of the Interior, Press Releas (www.gov.si)