Gill Miller Dept of Geography and International Development Safe havens and new challenges: the impact of refugees and migrants on schools Gill Miller Dept of Geography and International Development

“Democracies should be judged not only by how they treat their members but by how they treat their strangers” (Benhabib 1998: 108) Outline significance.

Different immigrant categories Economic migrant Illegal immigrant Status depends on various factors: country of birth, nationality, passports held, length of stay

Different immigrant categories Refugee Refugee: someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of the country. UNHCR Someone whose asylum application has been successful and who is allowed to stay in another country having proved they would face persecution back home.

Different immigrant categories Asylum seeker Failed asylum seeker Someone who is fleeing persecution in their homeland, has arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities, exercised the legal right for asylum. Someone whose asylum application has been turned down and is awaiting return to their country. If it is not safe for unsuccessful asylum seekers to return, they may have to stay for the time being.

International perspectives

Refugees often want to return home Children are a key part of the migrant population

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34131911

Immigrant Statistics for Wales 2014 Migrants make up 7% of population of Wales. 21,000 non-British nationals lived in Wales. Wales received 4% of the non-British nationals who came to UK in 2014. 60% of foreign-born migrants in Wales are non-EU. Cardiff has highest net international migration

Source: Markaki 2016 Migration Trends Report Source: Markaki 2016 Migration Trends Report. Migration trends and population flows in Wales (2004 - accession of eastern European states)

Asylum seekers and refugees in Wales Dispersal centres: Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Wrexham 2013: 1,571 asylum seekers, between 6000 – 10000 refugees Top 5 countries of origin of asylum seekers living in Wales in 2014 were China, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Afghanistan Centre for Migration Policy Research claim “significant pockets of negative attitudes and prejudice towards asylum seekers and refugees living in Wales.” “Everyday racism” Asylum seekers and refugees often concentrated in more deprived areas; difficult to get appropriate accommodation; physical and mental health often worsens due to poverty

Issues within receiving communities Social capital - Values and norms of trust, cooperation, social networks, social organisations, assistance, family & friendship networks Stereotyped by nationality / discrimination Language Legal status Cultural change Connections with home country Remittances Aid / social projects http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37250762 Short clip from OXFAM Cymru

BBC Survey of local authority intentions re Syrian refugees April 2016 No. of familes / individuals Anglesey 10 families / 30 Over 3 years Flintshire ? Blaenau Gwent Neath PT 10 families 5 by Xmas Bridgend Newport 50 families Over 4 years Caerphilly 2 Before Xmas Pembrokeshire imminently Cardiff Rhondda CT 30-40 indivs When? Ceredigion 10-12 individuals Swansea 60 families Over 5 years Conwy Torfaen 2 families Denbighshire V of Glamorgan Gwynedd Wrexham Merthyr Tydfil 10 per year

Syrian Vulnerable persons Resettlement Scheme in Wales Syrian Vulnerable persons Resettlement Scheme in Wales. Figs for Quarter 1 2016 Dyfed Edwards, Welsh Local Gov Assoc spokesman on migration: “Local government in Wales remainsf ully and wholeheartedly committed to offering safety, sanctuary and security to people whose lives have been torn apart by war…” No. of familes / individuals Anglesey Flintshire Blaenau Gwent 17 Neath PT 27 Bridgend Newport Caerphilly 7 Pembrokeshire Cardiff ? Powys Ceredigion 10 Rhondda CT Conwy Swansea 24 Denbighshire Torfaen Gwynedd V of Glamorgan Merthyr Tydfil Wrexham Matthew Hemsley, OXFAM Cymru: “We cannot ignore how painfully slow the resettlement process is in Wales. In the time we’ve settled 34 refugees, Sotland welcomed 249 and Northen Ireland 104.”

Children as migrants Increasing role / recognition of role of children as (often unwilling) combatants Children below 18 years of age constituted 51% of refugees globally in 2014, Children still somewhat neglected in refugee policy: have specific needs e.g. education, health / nutritional requirements, psychosocial / adjustment problems mostly (but by no means always) dependents / part of family groups; many unaccompanied or separated children (UASC) seeking asylum therefore a particularly problematic area often difficult to assess age. Arrive with no ID.

Children as migrants UK asylum process criticised for handling of children: 1,277 applications from UASC in 2011 incarceration of children (with parents) in detention centres difficulties in understanding a process that even adults find confusing (legal system, forms, interviews, language issues…) issue of age determination (Shaw 2012 and Children’s Society Young Refugees webpage: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-children/our-programmes/young-refugees) Shaw, D. (2012, 12 September) ‘UK asylum process for children labelled “traumatic”’. BBC News online. Retrieve from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19669782 UNHCR (2015) Global trends 2014. Retrieve from http://unhcr.org/556725e69.html

Migrant children in schools: Research findings in literature Research findings 2015 from urban and rural primary schools in Lincolnshire (Sophie Shackleton July-Sept 2015) Impacts on the school Impacts on classes / classrooms Impact on migrant children Other issues

Impact on the whole school Broadens cultural understanding Some authorities have funding for EAL pupils. Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant May increase school facilities (e.g. teaching assistants) Can boost pupils numbers especially in rural areas where roles are falling Some correlation between increase in immigrant pupils and transfer of British pupils to private sector Important role for school in community integration Clash of cultures e.g. corporal punishment as a cultural norm v safeguarding Changes to dinner menus e.g. halal meat New ‘culture clubs’ set up by parents for all children

Impact on the class Immigrant children often out-perform British-born primary pupils – highly motivated to learn But some immigrant children do worse because poor language skills Academic achievement varies with ethnicity Schools with high levels of immigration have more bullying Migrant children found to have overwhelmingly positive impact But strain on classroom resources – especially if not in Mother Tongue Opportunity to share cultures – engage with parents Potential conflict too e.g. restrictions caused by Ramadan

Impacts on immigrant children Schools with fewer immigrant children have better integration Importance of friendships between local and immigrant children – helps orientation and adaptation. “Buddies” Exclusion / loneliness. Often immigrant children will befriend each other Language barrier may lead to disruptive pupils Keeping up academically if there is a language problem Attendance became a problem Migrant children are shocked – weather, food, music, education system, trauma. Children from war zones so appreciate what school has to offer here.

Issues for schools Poor attendance - children go back home for family occasions, often 2-3 months Cultural background affects level of engagement of parents with school. ‘disrespectful to interfere with a child’s education’. Children move quite frequently and never settle to learn. Need for funding for EAL resources Integration depends on the language spoken at home. Responding to religious needs – prayer rooms, prayer times. Migrant children may have a positive impact - work ethic, culture, friendships

Some food for thought and discussion…….

Possibly useful data https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2015/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2015