Government of the Republic of Serbia
The Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Zoran Đorđević, the Director of the UNICEF Office in Serbia Michel Saint-Lot, and the Head of the UNHCR Representation in Serbia Hans Friedrich Schodder visited PS “Jovan Ristić” in Borča on 4 September, where classes will be attended this year by migrant children as well.
On this occasion all students of the school, including migrant children and children from socially vulnerable families have been presented with school backpacks containing didactic materials.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Vesna Nedeljković recalled that the line ministry participated last year in the project “Support to Refugee/Migrant Students within the Territory of the Republic of Serbia”, implemented jointly with UNICEF and other partners.
Nedeljković noted that, according to this project, 200 refugee children attended our schools, as well as that the Minister prescribed Professional Instructions for the Inclusion of Refugee/Asylum Seeker Children in the Education System. She explained that this document enabled the systematic preparation of the entry of all refugee children, 645 of them, in the primary education system, which is prescribed by law as mandatory and free of charge.
Saint-Lot emphasized that this moment represents a true opportunity to protect the right to education for refugee and migrant children, and noted that for them, education is of key importance, because it provides them a feeling of stability and normalcy. He underlined that education is one of the few things they can take with them into their future lives.
We provide for raising capacities in schools – for over 500 members of school teams from approximately 90 schools from 17 local self-governments, as well as backpacks and school equipment for refugee and migrant children of school age, he added.
Schodder noted that UNHCR is satisfied that the children of refugees and migrants are starting school together with their peers from Serbia, and added that this is an exciting day for all of us, particularly for children who crossed a long, difficult road from their home countries.
I am certain that they will gain many new friends and will study diligently. UNHCR will continue providing support to the Government of Serbia in all its successful efforts to treat the refugees humanely, which will also benefit local communities, he stated.
Source: www.srbija.gov.rs
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