An unexpected wave of refugees: how Ukrainian schoolchildren overwhelm Czech schools
Recently, Czech schools faced an unprecedented challenge – the integration of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children who were forced to move to the Czech Republic. Despite the general support of Ukrainians among the Czech population, the reality of school life turned out to be much more difficult. The situation that has developed in some cities has become critical: there are not enough places in schools, classes are overcrowded, teachers are working at the limit of their capabilities, and the children themselves, often not knowing the language, cannot properly adapt to the new environment.
Czech schools are on the verge of overload
One of the cities that felt the strongest pressure due to the influx of Ukrainian refugees is Mlada Boleslav. This industrial city has long been known among foreign workers thanks to the businesses located here. But with the beginning of the war, the number of new arrivals increased significantly. According to official data, about 5,500 students study in local schools, of which more than 700 are Ukrainian children. Even more alarming figures concern the number of foreigners in general: almost every fourth resident of the city is a foreigner, including Ukrainians.
In the summer of 2024, another two hundred foreigners came to Mlad Boleslav, including 140 children from Ukraine. Due to the lack of places and the impossibility of expanding classes for Ukrainians, local administrations decided to integrate them into regular classes. However, this approach creates a number of new challenges for teachers and Czech children.
Educational challenges for teachers and students
The integration of Ukrainian children into Czech schools faces numerous problems, the main of which is the language barrier. Although some students are able to adapt quickly by understanding the Czech language or speaking English, a large number of children do not have such opportunities. This creates an additional burden on teachers who have to work simultaneously with children who speak different languages and have different levels of knowledge.
One of the teachers in Mlada Boleslav shared her experience: “There are thirty children in my class, including several Ukrainian students. Some children understand Czech or can communicate in English, but there are also those who refuse to participate in the educational process due to the language barrier. We often just have to look after them while their parents are at work. Paying attention to each child individually when there are so many students in the class is simply impossible.” The lack of an individual approach to each child becomes one of the main problems, which is exacerbated by overcrowded classes.
Separate classes for Ukrainians: a temporary solution or a necessity?
At the beginning of the wave of refugees, in the 2022-2023 academic years, in many cities of the Czech Republic, in particular in Mladá Boleslav and Kolín, it was allowed to create separate classes for Ukrainian children. Such classes made it possible to focus resources on the education of Ukrainian children, adapting them to the Czech education system. However, in the 2024-2025 academic year, this practice began to be abolished, and in most schools Ukrainian children are now integrated into regular classes. The exception was only some cities, such as Pilsen, where separate classes still operate, since every twelfth student here is Ukrainian.
A branch of one of the schools, which works as a “Ukrainian school”, also operates in Mladá Boleslav. About 200 students study here, but this is not enough to cover the needs of all Ukrainian children in the city. Deputy Mayor Daniel Marek emphasizes: “We cannot integrate so many children without compromising the quality of education. If there are 35 students in a class, it will have a negative effect on everyone.” The city is trying to find a solution to this problem, but it requires additional resources and time.
Education infrastructure development plan
Realizing that the current situation cannot last long, the authorities of Mlad Boleslav plan to build a new school that will be able to accommodate 540 children. However, this ambitious project is still only at the planning stage, and even under the most favorable conditions, construction will not begin until 2026, and the first students will be admitted to the new school only in September 2028. Until then, the burden on existing schools will continue to increase, especially with the possible arrival of new waves of refugees.
Social integration through the educational system
In addition to purely educational problems, there are also social aspects of the integration of Ukrainian children. Many of them suffered psychological trauma due to the war, which makes it difficult for them to adapt in a new environment. Teachers often note that children who have arrived from war zones need additional psychological support, but due to a lack of resources, schools are unable to provide adequate assistance.
Local communities also feel some pressure due to the constant arrival of new refugees. For example, many Ukrainians settle in Mlada Boleslav due to the presence of relatives or acquaintances who already live in the city. This further increases the migration flow and increases the number of children who need schooling.
Prospects and challenges for the future
The Czech education system, despite all efforts, is on the verge of overload. The integration of Ukrainian children requires not only additional resources, but also new approaches to education. Language barriers, psychological problems and limited school facilities create conditions under which it becomes increasingly difficult to provide quality education.
Currently, the Czech government is considering options for increasing funding for school infrastructure and training teachers to work with children who do not speak the Czech language. However, solving this problem will take time, and in the coming years, Czech schools will continue to work under conditions of overload.
Overcrowding in Czech schools due to the massive influx of Ukrainian refugee children raises questions not only about the state of education, but also about the broader social and economic challenges facing the Czech Republic. In order for the integration of Ukrainians into the Czech society to be successful, efforts are needed both on the part of educational institutions and on the part of state bodies, which should ensure proper support for this category of children. Only through a comprehensive approach can a solution be found that will help alleviate the crisis in the Czech education system and ensure quality education for all students.
