National Experts on the
Education of Migrants
OECD, Paris
Breda Naughton
(breda_naughton@education.gov.ie)
Department of Education and Science
13/14 October 2008
Context
• Education Act 1998 www.education.ie
• National Action Plan Against Racism 2005
www.diversityireland.ie
• EU Green Paper on Migrant Education 2008
• Current Research
• Development of an Intercultural Education Strategy
www.nccri.ie
Integration Structures
• Minister for State for Integration
– July 2007
• Office of Minister for Integration
– Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion,
Children and Integration
– Cross – Departmental Steering Committee
– Ministerial Council on Integration
Structures and Strategies
• Integration Unit in DES – Oct 2007
– To co-ordinate, liaise and engage with internal
and external education and other
stakeholders
• Migration Nation 2008
– Statement on Integration Strategy and
Diversity Management www.diversityireland.ie
Current
Research, Evaluation and Reports
• Economic and Social Research Institute – Managing Diversity
in Primary and Post-Primary Schools – (end 2008)
• Inspectorate’s thematic evaluation of provision for students
studying English as an additional language – (autumn 2009)
• OECD Thematic Review (autumn 2009)
• VFM Review on expenditure on migrant students in primary and
post-primary education ( autumn 2009)
• Language Education Policy Profile for Ireland
– Council of Europe and DES (Feb. 2008)
• Youth Sector – Report and Recommendations for an Intercultural
Strategy ( spring 2008)
• Horwath Report – English for Adult Immigrants (autumn 2008)
Migrant Student Profile
• 10% primary students
• 7% of post-primary
students
• 13,000 in FE English
Language
• 10% of higher
education students
• PPPD – nationalities
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–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
UK
Poland
Nigeria
Lithuania
USA
Spain
Germany
Philippines
Latvia
South Africa
Resources for Primary and Post
Primary schools
• 2,000 English Language support teachers in 2007/08 at
a cost of €120m, up from 262 in 2001/2002
• Continuous Professional Development for teachers
www.ppds.ie; www.slss.ie
• Resource materials – www.NCCA.ie, www.NCCRI.ie,
north/south co-operation etc
• Non- curricular languages in LC for EU migrants
• Opportunities for family literacy/ language learning in
schools in partnership with Further Education section of
local Vocational Education Committees
Newcomer Students –
Primary and Post-Primary profile
(Partners and ESRI)
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–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Very recent phenomenon
Majority of post-primary schools have newcomers
Significant group of primary schools have none ( 40%)
English language needs vary and it does impact
Some migrants may have little or no previous education
Most are highly motivated, high aspirations, good behaviour and
regular attendance
Many are high achievers – raise standards
Some are transitory – between schools, between countries,
arrive at any time of year – capitation issues
Key concerns – academic progress (attainment), social
interaction and involvement in extra-curricular activities
Sustained academic difficulties only for a few
Immigrant Parents
• Involvement of immigrant parents
– own English language needs - 13,000 places, €10m
– have high levels of education, recognition of
qualifications ( www.qualificationsrecognition.ie)
– have high expectations for children
– may not understand the education system, data about
schools in 6 languages www.education.ie – Polish,
Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, German and Spanish as
well as in English and Irish
– need to engage in school life
Issues
• Integration/ inclusion integral part of school planning
• Appropriate teaching methodologies, role of English
Language Support Teacher and mainstream class
teacher
• Training
• Absenteeism – role of National Educational Welfare
Board – data in 18 languages www.newb.ie
• Cultural differences/ behavioural norms/ cultural
mediation
• Not sufficient resources available – particularly for
teenagers
Other Issues (VoS)
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•
•
•
Translation and interpretation
Psychological assessments
School rules are for all
Guidance – particular needs of international
students
• After school services – e.g. Polish schools at
weekends
• Bullying
• Mother tongue ( Co of Europe and EU Green
Paper)
Key to success – ESRI research
• A positive school climate promotes
academic and social development among
newcomer and Irish students alike –
become more integrated, inclusive and
intercultural
• Schools do not operate in a vacuum –
importance of broader social relations
High profile topics
• Hijab
• Patron models – predominantly
denominational in nature at primary level
• Segregated v. integrated provision
• Movement of children of local residents to
other schools
Possible Principles –
Intercultural Education Strategy
• Mainstreaming of all newcomer students
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•
•
•
– two way process of inclusion
Knowledge of English ( and Irish) for all
residents
Rights and responsibilities
High aspirations and high expectations
Partnership and engagement
Possible Actions
• Leadership
• Research
• Awareness raising
Towards an Intercultural
Education Strategy
• Conference 1st October
– outlined current research
– formally opened debate on development of an
Intercultural Education Strategy
• Written submissions by end of October
• Focus groups (Nov./ Dec 2008) to consult
stakeholders and to gain their input on
– Intercultural Education Strategy
– OECD Thematic Review
– EU Green Paper on Migrant Education
• Intercultural Education Strategy – Autumn 2009