Abstract:

With the growth of the number of refugees and emigrants in Europe the problem of the adaptation of their children emerges. These children are burdened with negative experiences related to the war and leaving their own home. Children who come to Poland do not know Polish, they were brought up differently. Hence, difficulties arise in the implementation of the training obligation in their new place of residence. In Poland, this problem is growing due to the increase in the number of students coming from areas where armed conflicts continue. Polish schools are faced with the challenges associated with including children of migrants and refugees in the education system and providing them with conditions for proper development. In turn, in a school environment, upbringing to respect becomes an important element of the educational system, which is intended to contribute to multicultural integration. This is all the more difficult when considering the existing stereotypes and other factors leading to prejudices and fear of strangers. Research indicates that in Poland the highest level of reluctance is maintained towards Arabs, whom Poles consider the most zealous followers of Islam, and the Roma.

In Poland, 3-4 thousand people a year try to obtain a refugee status every year. Non-governmental organizations deal with helping children and, in the field of education, this role is played by Polish school system. Some children of emigrants and refugees live in refugee centers, where up to 112 children attend two kindergartens and two day care centers. A separate group are children of Polish immigrants who, after many years, return to their homeland, often without knowledge of the Polish language. Arriving children without Polish citizenship are entitled to a school assistant who is often a member of their family.

The article presents in detail the Polish educational system that forms a part of the state's migration policy. Negative and positive elements of educational activities directed to children of emigrants and refugees will also be presented.

Keywords:

Children, refugees, emigrants, Polish educational system.