Integration of migrant children in Slovenian schools ( La integración de los niños migrantes en las escuelas eslovenas )

Abstract

The article explores the gap between policies and practices of integration of migrant children in Slovenian schools while rejecting the perception of integration as merely passive assimilation or simple one-way adaptation to the new social reality. The paper draws on secondary sources, interviews, and focus groups with members of the educational community as well as with (migrant) children. The lack of a holistic, standardized, systematic and long-term approach to the integration of migrant children in education in Slovenia leads to inconsistent and different ways schools and individual educational staff approach the integration process. We argue for the need for systemic changes to reduce the current gap between non-binding policies addressing the issue of integration of migrant children in education and practices in schools. Implementing the principle of intercultural education at all levels would contribute towards better intercultural awareness, competencies and skills, not only for teachers and educators but for everyone — children, youths and adults, who are all part of culturally diverse societies.