EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/208

(2004/C 84 E/0252)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/04

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 February 2004)

Subject: Operation of reception classes — second operational programme: ‘education and initial training’

In the second operational programme ‘Education and Initial Training’ in Greece, and in sub-programme 1, measure 1, action (a), entitled ‘support for the integration of children with special cultural and language characteristics into the educational system’ there is provision for the improvement of the integration into the educational system of pupils from population groups which are at risk of educational inequality, with the aim of preventing their marginalisation.

The reception classes in compulsory education are funded by the above action and contribute to the problem-free integration of immigrant pupils into the education system. In the last school year, 2003-2004, the Ministry of Education and the Regional Education Administration did not take on the staff required for the operation of the reception classes and, in many cases where there were staff, suspended the operation of the reception classes to enable the teachers to cover for the vacant posts for teachers employed by the State teaching the normal classes. Thus, according to information supplied by the Ministry of Education to the Children's Advocate, of the 558 reception classes only 295 operated. At the same time, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an edict prohibiting the enrolment in primary school of the children of immigrants who do not have a residence permit. The results of these actions is that the children of immigrants are deprived of one of the basic rights of children, that of education.

1. What progress has been made in this action under the second operational programme, ‘education and initial training’?

2. In view of Article II-14 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, what steps will the Commission take to protect the right of immigrants' children to education?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

According to the information at the Commission's disposal, action one of measure 1.1 under the Operational Programme ‘Education and Initial Vocational Training’ is indeed contributing to ‘supporting the inclusion of children with cultural or linguistic particularities into the education system’.

The above-mentioned Operational Programme does not finance classes or staff recruitment but funds educational and technical material, training of teachers, counselling of families and awareness-raising amongst national and local education administrations.

A budget of EUR 57,7 million is allocated to this action, of which EUR 30 million is already under implementation. Up to now these actions have benefited: 2 300 children of immigrants in first level and 2 700 in second level education, 6 260 Muslim pupils, mainly in first level education; 6 780 Roma pupils in first and 120 in second level education.

The Commission is not aware that children of immigrants who do not have a residence permit have been refused enrolment in primary schools. According to the information at the Commission's disposal, law 2910/2001 provides that access to compulsory education is also exceptionally granted to these children. However, the Commission will contact the Greek authorities to obtain further information on the Home Affairs Ministry's Decree.