Education International Research
2.4. The importance of education support personnel and teachers All education institutions enrolling asylum-seeking, unaccompanied, or newly arrived children in general highlighted the decisive impact of a sufficient, competent, and diversified workforce as outlined in the following paragraphs, to ensure a successful integration process for these children in the host education system. 2.4.1. The crucial role of administrative staff Administrative support staff are at the frontline of the enrolment process of asylum-seeking and refugee children, often representing the first point of contact with the school. Interviewees agree on the importance of training these staff members on how to deal with these children and families. “The administrative staff is often the ‘face of the school’. They should be trained concerning the rights, the duties, the legal framework but also in terms of interpersonal and intercultural skills”. —Expert in intercultural education Above all, school principals’ training is often cited as vital, considering that they lead and manage all aspects related to refugees’ integration in school, from building a competent workforce to identifying needs and related opportunities. “The principal must take the lead on these aspects and he/she must be trained to do so. It is important that there is an institutional structured approach, not relying on a single teacher’s goodwill”. —Social worker responsible for migrant education and training, social cooperative (Naples) To date, most schools receiving refugee children are forced to apply for external funding to develop integration project-based activities for these students. Administrative staff often play an important role in this regard as they oversee project administration and reporting but, very often, there is no time or resources to help schools develop this aspect of their work appropriately. “Schools like ours should have a reinforced administrative team. If we consider the ordinary management of the school and the whole project development, implementation and reporting, our administrative staffing is inadequate”. —School principal, Primary school (Palermo)
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