29-30th November 2022, Prague
The fourth study visit in the Competence project took place in Prague on November 29-30, 2022. During the visit, the international partner organizations reviewed the operational structure and scope of activities of the main departments of the local government (legal department, PR department, social services, etc.) as well as visited local social institutions.
The building that houses the Prague 6 District Social Center consists of social studio apartments and mostly houses elderly people in need. The local nursing service provides assistance by providing the necessary conditions for personal hygiene, organizing meals, and maintaining the relationship with the social environment. A group of apartments is also rented out to students on a social basis. During the community programs organized by the institution, the younger generation takes an active part in helping the elderly.
In 2022, the biggest challenge was undoubtedly the education of the children of Ukrainian families fleeing the war to the Czech Republic. Fifty-seven thousand Ukrainian children and students have signed up to attend Czech schools in the 2022/2023 school year. Therefore the number of children attending primary and secondary schools has significantly expanded. Nevertheless, the capacity of schools should be sufficient in most places in the Czech Republic, thanks to the law amendment called Lex Ukraine II, allowing principals to create separate classes.
Therefore, on the second day of the study visit, the staff of the partner organizations visited the primary school “ZS Pod Marjánkou”, where one of the school’s leaders and the practicing teachers presented the school locations and analysed the Czech education system. In the institution, the integration of Ukrainian students into the education system is a challenge, but with the help of locally applied methods, the school successfully overcomes the obstacles. Leaders and teachers enthusiastically reported that in their school, Ukrainian children study in the same class as local primary school children, easily fit into the groups, learn the language quickly and can progress together in the curriculum.
The new atmosphere seems to be no problem for the small elementary school students. On the other hand, it is important to pay attention to older children, as they already understand the seriousness of the situation. They are aware of the consequences of the war raging in their homes. This is also reflected in the initial sad mood and reserved nature of the children. Fortunately, after the first few weeks at school, students usually manage to integrate.
Experiences at the Prague 6 District Social Center and the ZS Pod Marjánkou primary school made a deep impression on the international project staff. In 2023, the General Directorate of Social Welfare in Arad will have the opportunity to share its good practices as the last stop of study visits organized in the Competence project.
