Press & Media
More Migrant Teachers Needed to Reflect the New Ireland
Recent experience of inward migration has redefined Ireland's population profile in a much more diversified way. There are now 188 nationalities living in Ireland, more religious beliefs are visible and the population has become multilingual. It is on this premise that the Government hascalled all stakeholders in education to a timely development of a National Intercultural EducationStrategy.
In order that an intercultural strategy be sustainable, it need not be time bound, for instance, itmust not be a consideration only in an economic upturn or downturn similar to the employmentintegration strategy. Society as a whole must take ownership of this approach to education.It is also important that such a strategy is seen as integral to the overall school administrationstrategy across Ireland. It should also be practical so as to unequivocally explain 'difficult' termslike asylum seekers, refugees, unaccompanied minors and family reunification.The employment of more teachers from migrant backgrounds would reflect the interculturalnature of present day classrooms. The Government may wish to consider establishing a schemeto recruit teachers from migrant backgrounds, such as the Refugees into Teaching in Scotlandprogramme.
This would be expedient as skilled people with refugee backgrounds already live here and hopeto work and contribute to their communities given their vast repertoire of skills andqualifications.
This approach could also be complemented by developing a system which would allow for therecruitment of migrant liaison officers and regional coordinators for schools who would adviseon migrant specific issues. These individuals could be encouraged to take on such rolesvoluntarily in the first instance as a pilot initiative.
In line with the principle that aspirations and expectations should be the same for all children,migrants' values, cultures, history, politics, economies and geography should be inculcated intothe existing curriculum towards identifying with and understanding the realities of migrationboth for Irish and migrant children.
The 'Aquis Communautaire' which brings together laws in the European Union stipulates thatMember States refer to Directive 77/486/EEC which requires that children of migrants from EUmember states have the opportunity of the language of the host country and their mother tongue.This idea could be developed by organising cultural diversity days, and special guidance andcounselling days focusing on mentoring by indigenous Irish people and prominent migrants.As the strategy is to be reflected at all levels, adult migrants, particularly refugees should havealternative sources of grants if they do not qualify for the Higher Education grant or free feescheme.
This is the case in some countries including the Netherlands, UK and Canada. In the same vein,clear cut rights for children over 16 years to progress automatically in their studies and to payEU-agreed fees when their immigration applications are yet to be determined, should belegislated for.
This, like other aspects of the intercultural education strategy would be compliant with the bestinterests of the child and with Ireland's obligations under the EU.
Given the small numbers of people who would fall into this category it would appear to be ahumane and relatively easy step for Government to take.
Wale Mogaji is Head of Communications and Integration with the Refugee Information Service
- Wale Mogaji
