A month ago, Rostyslav Kuznetc's life revolved around school, skateboarding and computer games. Now, the 14-year-old from Odessa, in Ukraine, is adjusting to life at a new secondary school in Dublin.
"I'm in transition year, and so far it's easy. There's no homework and I've a lot of my own time," said the new student at Trinity Comprehensive School in Ballymun.
“My classmates and teachers are so friendly. We talk about Ukraine and I’m teaching them some of my language. . . I like it,” he said.
He is one of an estimated 5,000 children and young people who have fled their home country and are in the process of adapting to life in Ireland.
While schools have been responding locally to newly arrived refugees, observers say the arrival of thousands more over the coming weeks and months will pose steep challenges for the education system.
School places will need to match available accommodation, while a dramatic increase in English language supports will be vital to help students and families integrate into Irish society.
While a shortage of teachers will add to pressure on the system, most principals, school managers and policy experts feel schools and the further education colleges can rise to the challenge.
Challenge
"We're in the business of finding solutions to these kinds of challenges," said Paddy Lavelle, chief executive of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), which will be playing a key role in co-ordinating school places and supports.
The 16 education and training boards across the State are hosting new one-stop shops or “regional education and language teams” for Ukrainian families.
Finding spare capacity within existing schools that matches the accommodation needs of families is the first challenge. There is significant spare capacity at primary level. On a national level, total primary enrolments peaked in 2018 and have been reducing since.
The net overall reduction in primary enrolments for next September is projected to be in the order of 25,000 pupils, according to the Department of Education.
However, there are fewer spare places at second level due to a demographic bulge which is passing through the post-primary system. Demand for places at second level may be lower, however.
Many Ukrainian teenagers are taking part in remote classes run by their schools at home, even if the time difference – classes begin at 6.30am Irish time for many – isn’t ideal. In addition, there is a stronger tradition of those aged 15-plus moving to more vocational routes. As a result, Education and Training Boards are currently identifying what spare capacity they have on further education and training courses.
Another major challenge is the availability of supports for children learning English.
The English Language Support Teachers’ Association of Ireland said the number of teachers with expertise in this area has decreased and a dramatic increase in investment and professional training is needed.
Pledged supports
Minister for Education Norma Foley has pledged that supports will be expanded in all schools that need it. The Teaching Council has also been authorised to fast-track the registration of Ukrainian teachers, though numbers are not yet available.
In addition, Lavelle of the ETBI said the sector is ready to roll out upskilling courses for teachers to sharpen their language support skills. Tutors with a background of teaching English as a foreign language may also be made available to schools to assist children and their families.
Nonetheless, many expect there will be speed-bumps ahead. Michael Gillespie of the Teachers' Union of Ireland said the "second wave" of Ukrainian children may prove more challenging.
“I think we’ll get to the summer okay, but I would worry about the capacity at second level come September. We have a teacher recruitment and retention crisis and the student numbers at second level are rising,” he said.
“The students who’ve arrived so far are bright, adapted well and left early. I would worry about those who arrived later, the trauma they have experienced and whether we’ll have the services to meet their needs.”
At Trinity Comprehensive School, meanwhile, the mood is upbeat. Principal Frances Neary said the school is delighted to offer a safe space for nine newly arrived Ukrainian teenagers.
“We’re a Deis school and have a strong special education teaching team, so we’re able to give our new students additional supports,” said Mr Neary. “Right now, the focus is being part of the school community, making friends, settling in.”
