Elementary schools in Vranje, Presevo, Bujanovac and Bosilegrad  are attended by 77 children of refugees and migrants from the Middle East who are, along with their parents, accommodated at the reception centers in those four cities, said Sasko Nikolic,  the Ministry of Education’s superviorfor the issues of migrant children in the Pcinj District.

He said for the “Beta” news agency that the migrant children started attending all – day classes in all the cities, with the exception of Presevo, where they continued to attend two to four classes a day, adding that most of the migrant school children were from Syria, Iraq and Iran.

The “Vuk Karadzic” elementary school in Presevo is attended by 36 children from the reception center in the city, the “Branko Radicevic” primary school in Bujanovac is attended by 16 children, while another 13 children are awaiting a medical check-up in order to join the classes.

„There are several such students at secondary schools, too. One student from the reception center is at the secondary agricultural school, four students are at the Vranje-based secondary school of economics, while another three students from Presevo are awaiting a medical check-up, so that they could start attending classes at the Presevo grammar school“, Mr. Nikolic said. 

Mr. Nikolic pointed out that there had been no problems at all with students from the reception centers unti then, as well as that the teachers overcame language barriers in a variety of ways.  

„Transportation from the reception centers to schools is provided for migrant and refugee children on a daily basis, while various non-governmental organizations provide snacks for them, "Mr.  Nikolic said.  

At the moment, the number of children attending schools in the Pcinj District  decreased by 13, compared to the number of children a month  ago, when five schools in Presevo, Bujanovac, Vranje and Bosilegrad were attended by 90 children of migrants and refugees.

Source: “Beta” news agency, “Evening News” daily and Coordination Body