In a drive to improve educational opportunities for refugees and asylum-seekers, vocational school managers want a new National Co-ordination Committee.
The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) wants the committee to link all relevant national agencies in the provision of services and the formulation of policy. The association is making the call after a survey of members found widespread dissatisfaction with the level of State support for the education of all non-nationals.
More than 88 per cent of vocational education committees (VECs) are now involved in the provision of education services to asylum-seekers, refugees and non-nationals. But less than 30 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the level of support.
The difficulties cited by the VECs include lack of funding, personnel and resources. Other problems included the lack of childcare, the lack of general facilities, inadequate training of tutors and the lack of support services.
In its policy document, the IVEA says many asylum-seekers and refugees would welcome education - not just for the opportunities it could provide, but also for the community interaction.
"Many asylum-seekers are isolated, bored and lonely in their current living situations. They would welcome more contact with the communities in which they find themselves. Women can become particularly vulnerable through isolation," according to the report.
The document stresses that the educational needs of nonnationals cannot be dealt with in isolation from their overall social needs. "The provision of education services for the target group needs to form part of an overall package of services," it states.
Among other recommendations the IVEA working party has proposed are:
A recognition that intercultural education should become an essential element in all schools.
Additional resources to be made available to schools and those providing adult education/lifelong learning.
The provision of educational support services including training for staff and personnel, psychological and counselling services and translation services.
The establishment of co-ordinating committees and community support groups to improve services at local level.