Study Reveals Ukrainian Children Struggle with School Integration in Germany

A recent study conducted by the Federal Institute for Population Research has highlighted the challenges faced by Ukrainian children who have fled to Germany. The research indicates that a significant portion of these children feel a lack of belonging in their new school environments.

The study surveyed nearly 500 children aged 11 to 17 who arrived in Germany after February 2022. Results show that only 62.7% of respondents reported feeling a sense of belonging at school. This contrasts sharply with the experiences of children from Syria and Afghanistan, who reported a stronger sense of belonging two years after their arrival in Germany.

Moreover, when compared to data from PISA studies conducted in both Ukraine and Germany in 2022, the gap in feelings of belonging becomes more pronounced. In Ukraine, 84.3% of students reported feeling connected to their schools, while the figure was 76.2% for their counterparts in Germany.

According to the study's lead researcher, integration efforts at many schools have not been effective enough to ensure that newly arrived Ukrainian children feel comfortable within their educational settings. To improve this situation, the study recommends that schools take proactive measures to involve Ukrainian students in extracurricular activities, facilitating greater interaction with their German peers. Such engagements are deemed essential for enhancing their overall well-being.

The survey also revealed that children who have friends in Germany and are proficient in German tend to report higher levels of satisfaction. Notably, 51% of the participants indicated that they speak German well or very well, although 92% admitted to having no prior knowledge of the language when they first arrived in Germany.

Another significant finding from the research pertains to the future aspirations of these young individuals. The researchers were surprised to learn that the intentions of these children to remain in Germany are less pronounced than those of their parents. While only one-third of the surveyed children expressed a desire to stay in Germany permanently, half of their parents indicated they planned to settle in the country. This discrepancy is particularly evident among children who arrived with only one parent, often while the other parent remains in Ukraine, as 29% of these children indicated a preference to return.

In summary, the study underscores the need for enhanced integration strategies and support systems for Ukrainian children in German schools, emphasizing the importance of social connections and language proficiency in fostering a sense of belonging.