Recently, a Ukrainian-language class was started in Prague for fifth-graders who were not enrolled in Czech schools due to lack of places. The children will learn with Ukrainian teachers according to the International Ukrainian School program.
On 15 September, the bell rang for the first time in a new classroom for Ukrainian children who, together with their parents, are temporarily in Prague because of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The project is financially supported by the Czech organization "For Children of Ukraine".
"Today is a special day. We are very happy that we have the opportunity to organize free education for fifth grade students, that our children will be able to continue their education in the Czech Republic. The educational process is built in accordance with the Ukrainian educational system and will be conducted by certified teachers in the Ukrainian language. Children whose families plan to return to Ukraine after the war will thus be able to study at home in peace. I wish the children a lot of success, keep it up and we will win," Oksana Breslavska, the founder of the "For Children of Ukraine" association, opened the holiday.
The Ukrainian class was opened in the rooms of the Protestant church "Na slovo" at 44 Křižíkova Street. The children will study five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. according to the program of the International Ukrainian School with additional study of Czech and English. The classroom includes a playroom for children to relax and a separate dining room.
"Children who, for one reason or another, did not get into Czech schools will study in Ukrainian classes for free. There is a psychologist on staff to whom they can turn if they need to. In addition, we plan to add various clubs and sports clubs, such as swimming lessons. We will adapt to the children's abilities and interests. Currently there is a theatre club and an English language club," said Oksana Breslavska.
"In the future we plan to open classes in other parts of Prague for children who did not get into Czech schools. And in the future we want to establish a real Ukrainian school in Prague," she added.
The class teacher of the new class will be Ms Yuliya, who congratulated her pupils on the start of the new school year and thanked the Czech Republic for its help: 'For us, Ukrainians, the start of the new school year is a holiday. I want to wish the children good luck, to achieve what they dream of, to meet loyal, kind and reliable friends at school. At the moment Ukraine is going through difficult times and we are very grateful to the Czech Republic for its help and for the fact that the conditions for our children's education have been created here."
The celebration was joined by the students themselves, who gave a festive concert for those present. The children performed well-known Ukrainian songs and poems. The event culminated in a joint performance of the national anthem of Ukraine.
According to the parents of the fifth-grade children, most of them plan to return to their native Ukraine, but it will take time. "We have been here since April. He was studying remotely at a Ukrainian school. We planned to return to Ukraine from September 1. But they decided it was too soon. In our opinion, the indigenous community is very important, especially for a child. That's why we were very happy when we were offered to start studying in a Ukrainian class. We definitely plan to return. Probably by the New Year," said Anna Burtseva, a fifth grade mother from Kiev.
Currently, the project is having problems organising free meals for children at school. As Oksana Breslavska noted, children will now bring their own food to school. In the future, depending on the receipt of funds, their lunch will be paid for by the association.
In addition, a pressing issue is the complete provision of school books for the pupils. "We have agreed on the production of textbooks in Ukraine. There are also parents who brought textbooks with them. But unfortunately this is not enough. So if someone provides books for children for temporary use, we will be eternally grateful", - the founder of the association "Children of Ukraine" expresses her gratitude in advance.
For the future of our children
The association "For the Children of Ukraine" was founded in Prague during the war in Ukraine. Its main mission is to educate Ukrainian children who have suffered from the war, as well as to help organize a better life for children temporarily staying in the Czech Republic.
It is for this purpose that the organization, with the support of the district departments of education in Prague and the Department of Education and Science of the Lviv Regional State Administration, has prepared an educational project - the opening of Ukrainian language classes to assist in the comprehensive development and education of Ukrainian children in the Czech Republic. And to make it easier for children to communicate in the new country and avoid social isolation, they will also teach them the basics of the Czech language. At present, 51 children are studying in grades 2-5.
Part of the work of "Children of Ukraine" goes directly to projects in Ukraine, where it will work with local authorities and organizations to reconstruct schools, hospitals, playgrounds and other facilities for children after the war.
Ukrainian language classes were opened in the premises of the Protestant church "Na slovo" at 44 Krizikova Street. The children will study five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. according to the program of the International Ukrainian School with additional study of Czech and English. The classroom includes a playroom for children to relax and a separate dining room.