engleski

The experience of educating children of asylum seekers in secondary schools in Croatia and the role of social work

The social welfare system is an important stakeholder in the process of integration of asylum seekers in Croatia, and the role of social work is manifested in the recognition and regulation of rights and services from the system, empowerment and connection and coordination of community services during the integration process. For asylum integration, it represents a series of change processes during which it is crucial to empower a person, provide him or her with stable support and individual mentoring. For asylum- seeking children, empowerment is particularly important in the process of inclusion and education in the school system of the host country. This paper will present the results of a qualitative research in which the aim is to gain insight into the experience of educating children of asylum seekers in secondary schools in Croatia. The participants in the research are asylum seekers with secondary education experience in Croatia and involved in an individual empowerment program aimed at supporting education and integration in general. The sample of study participants was intentional. Data were collected by the method of semi-structured face-to-face interview and processed by the process of thematic analysis. The special focus of the research was focused on the significance of education for the child and what are the challenges and difficulties they face in high school and during integration and education support. Topics highlighted by young people include school in general, the importance of education and education plans, peer relationships, community involvement, culture and customs, and the roles of teachers, professionals and volunteers (social workers and others) in supporting their integration and personal empowerment. Data obtained from the perspective of asylum seekers indicated the importance of the school involvement in the integration process and adaptation of children to the school itself and importance of helpers role (social worker or other expert, teacher, student, volunteer) in individualized support and building good, trusting relationships. This research indicated that there is room for improving the organization and coordination of support for children and young asylum seekers in the process of integration into the Croatian education system.

children asylum seekers, integration of asylum seekers, integration into the education system, empowerment, social work

nije evidentirano