More than 25,000 children receive support and services as the 3-year EU co-funded programme “All Children In Education” reaches its conclusion

ATHENS, 28 JUNE 2024 - Having provided language and homework support to more than 25,000 refugee and migrant students across 58 different locations in Greece, since 2021 – including Open Accommodation Sites, Reception and Identification Centers and Urban Centers for Homework and Creative Activities—the programme “All Children in Education”, is concluded at the end of this month, celebrating a series of important milestones.

“As a result of our impeccable collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the Deputy Minister Voultepsi, who carried forward the vision of this initiative, as well as the valuable support and trust we received from the EU, we are proud that the “All Children in Education” programme has served as a catalyst for the improvement and boost of education for refugee and migrant children across Greece. It has been an all-encompassing and innovative programme, both in its scope and its methods for teaching and learning” stated Dr. Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Greece, adding: “The legacy that ACE leaves behind has set the tone for future interventions and policies which will ensure that a child-rights driven inclusive education will be carried on having the best interests of the child at the core of decision making and implementation processes.”

“When I signed the Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF in 2021 allowing Open Accommodation Sites to host non-formal education and recreational activities, my thoughts focused on the integration prospects we could offer to refugee and migrant children across the country. Today, the evaluation of the results of the “All Children in Education” programme has led us to a conclusion which will constitute a legacy for the long-term country policy regarding refugees: we have decided to establish teaching the Greek language as well as the principles of the European way of life, to the children and families of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who are in the country, a horizontal action which will cover the total population of children aged 4-17 years old, hosted in our facilities” noted Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi.

Apart from the 25,000 students with refugee and migrant background that benefited directly since 2021, ACE supported more than 5,000 educators through training on inclusive education and pedagogy methodologies via “Teach4Integration” (T4I),a 400-hour accredited capacity-building programme, implemented by four Academic Institutions in collaboration with the Institute of Educational Policy (MOERAS). Additionally, a number of teaching and learning materials, among which an Accelerated Learning Programme, have been developed and are currently accessible for use in schools as educational material supporting secondary education students with a refugee or migrant background, as well as children with disabilities and special educational needs.

ACE was implemented, with the direct management and supervision of UNICEF, by implementing partners ARSIS, DRC, ELIX, METAdrasi, Solidarity Now and Junior Achievement and a number of academic partners (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly and the University of Patras).

“The “All Children in Education” programme has successfully integrated and educated migrant and refugee children in Greece over the past three years. Looking ahead, we are hopeful that the Greek authorities will continue this progress. By working together, the relevant Ministries can ensure these important efforts continue and grow, providing a brighter and more inclusive future for all children in Greece”, saidMr Aristidis Psarras, Head of Sector of DG HOME - European Commission, in Greece.

Upon the conclusion of the programme under UNICEF’s direct management, the non-formal education activities, both in open accommodation sites and reception and identification centers, will continue through the direct management of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, supporting asylum-seeking children around Greece, with their successful  integration into Greek schools.

You can visit the links below to watch the three videos of the sensitization Campaign on the “All Children in Education” programme and learn more about its results.

All Children in Education: Episode #1| The ideal school – YouTube

All Children in Education: Episode #2| The way to school – YouTube

All Children in Education: Episode #3| The ideal school - YouTube