The war in Ukraine has been bogged down for more than a month. Refugees continue to flow into France and into our schools. According to the latest figures, 206 Ukrainian pupils are now educated in the establishments of the Nancy-Metz academy. Among them, 123 are in elementary school.
This Tuesday, March 29, it was back to school for eight Ukrainian students at the Chaudeney-Sur-Moselle school. Nathalie Noel, the inspector of the Toul district was present to welcome them. The whole of the teaching is arranged to facilitate the integration of these pupils. She answers questions from France Bleu Sud Lorraine.
France Bleu Sud Lorraine: “You were present when the eight Ukrainian refugees returned to the Chaudeney-Sur-Moselle primary school, what was the state of mind?
Natalie Noel: I felt that mothers had only one desire: to send their children to school. Finally being able to return to a more stable life, which is getting closer to a certain normality. In children, I felt a lot of worries. Worry, because they don’t master the language. Fear also among teachers. They are not used to taking in children who have just had a trauma.
How does this fear manifest itself in school teachers?
For the 53 directors of the Toulouse territory, this integration of young refugees is synonymous with “solidarity”, but also with “fear”. The “fear of doing wrong” is emerging throughout the teaching profession. From now on, it is up to us to take the time to comfort schoolchildren, but also to equip teachers so that the reception is as favorable as possible.
What measures are you putting in place to ensure the integration of these Ukrainian children?
Every morning, a teacher fluent in Polish (close to Ukrainian) brings together the eight Ukrainian refugees to give them French lessons. We also welcome the mothers of these childrento be able to give them confidence, while the psychological consequences of the war are heavy.
Furthermore, two French tutors are given to every little Ukrainian child. They will help them during class time, but also during recess and even in the hallways. The idea is to be able to acclimatize to the French education system.”