Miklosko: Positive Changes Achieved in Integration of Ukrainian Children

Bratislava, October 27 (TASR) - Positive changes have been achieved in the process of integrating Ukrainian children into Slovak schools, Commissioner for Children Jozef Miklosko has told TASR. The commissioner noted that he considers the fact that compulsory school attendance will also apply to Ukrainian children living in Slovakia from the next academic year to be a crucial step in their inclusion. Miklosko remarked that he sees the integration process not as an improvement of the existing system, but as the creation of completely new approaches and support infrastructure. The crucial goal, according to him, is that these children not only know the Slovak language and are educated, but also that they can feel like they fully belong to Slovak society and have equal prospects for the future. "If we neglected this area, we will risk creating deep social problems in the future," warned Miklosko. He also explained that the integration of Ukrainian children into Slovak schools has been a subject of intensive work by the Office of the Commissioner for Children since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In Slovakia, the integration has involved around 30,000 Ukrainian children. Specific challenges are faced, according to Miklosko, in particular when it comes to young people over the age of 16. "In Ukraine, they are already considered adults at this age, but in our country they have not yet reached the age of majority, which creates specific requirements for their integration," he explained. zel