Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has published its Report on the Education and Supports provision for displaced Ukrainian students

Speaking on the report, Deputy Paul Kehoe TD, Cathaoirleach of the Committee said “On 24 February 2022, Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Since that date, nearly 6 million Ukrainian citizens have been forced to flee their homes to escape the war, with this number rising every day. The vast majority of these are women and children. So far, more than 30,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Ireland, and it is expected that the final number will be more than 200,000. The Government, and indeed the citizens of Ireland, have responded to this crisis by welcoming these refugees and providing a vast range of measures in a short space of time to help them to settle and integrate into Ireland and Irish society.”

Deputy Kehoe said “In March, Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh proposed that the Joint Committee should examine the key issues regarding Education Provision for Ukrainian Refugee students. The Committee endorsed this Proposal and commenced an examination of the Education and Support Provisions for Displaced Ukrainian Students.”

The Deputy added “The Committee received detailed briefing notes and engaged in further discussion with Ms. Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education and Mr. Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The Committee also received commentary notes from key stakeholders and heard oral evidence from the Office of the Ombudsman for Children; Barnardos; the Irish Red Cross; the Irish Refugee Council; and the Library Association of Ireland (LAI), Schools Library Group (SLG).”

Deputy Kehoe said “The Committee acknowledges the huge amount of work and effort that has been made by all those involved in education and related supports. This report is a synopsis of the work that has been done to date and will provide a snapshot in time of a momentous period in our history. The recommendations are intended to be a roadmap to provide the best possible educational outcomes for displaced Ukrainian students. The Joint Committee requests that the issues raised in this report be the subject of a debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas.”

Read the full report on Education and Supports Provision for Displaced Ukrainian Students - June 2022

The following equal recommendations were made by the Committee in relation to the topic: 

1. The existing funding structures under the free education scheme should be extended to all displaced Ukrainian students.

2. All Primary and Post Primary Schools should designate one (or an appropriate number based on the size of the student population) member of staff, as a Family Liaison Officer (FLO). Each FLO appointment should be designated a Post of Responsibility (POR) with the commensurate allowance.

3. The Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) Library Project Digital Library Service should be expanded to become a National Digital Library Service for all second-level schools and Youthreach centres, to include a range of resources in Ukrainian and Russian.

4.  All Further and Higher Education Institutions must put in place clear arrangements to facilitate displaced Ukrainian students completing placements and/or assignments as part of their coursework including previous credits acquired. Allowances should be considered for students who must repeat their placements/assignments. The arrangements should be provided in writing in Ukrainian and Russian to ensure absolute clarity. 

5.  An English language assessment must be carried out on all students at the earliest possible stage in their enrolment in education to assess what (if any) language supports they require. A Language Support Plan, tailored at an appropriate level, should then be provided. 

6. The Department of Education must ensure that translators and interpreters are available to schools. These professionals should receive targeted training in advance, to include translating challenging and sensitive conversations. In addition, all Schools, Further Education Institutions (FEI)s and Higher Education Institutions (HEI)s must be equipped with translation services to ensure important documents are provided in Russian and Ukrainian.

7.  Ringfenced funding should be provided by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for Trauma Counselling and other mental health supports in all Further and Higher Education Institutions. 

8.  The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) must be expanded to include therapeutic (including trauma) supports for schools on site to enable them to support displaced Ukrainian students as well as for existing students.

9.  The Department of Education should issue a Circular to all School Principals mandating them to provide a Sanctuary Room and/or designated calm space in all schools for the displaced students. School Libraries could also be used for this purpose. The inclusion of this room should be included in all Whole School Evaluations (WSE)s by the Department of Education Inspectorate. 

10. The Department of Education should establish a Digital Support Fund so that Senior Cycle students can complete their exams as per the Ukrainian curriculum. These students should be provided with adequate broadband connection and appropriate digital devices such as laptops or iPads.