Belinsky Andrey Victorovich – Ph.D. in Political Sciences, Senior Researcher, INION RAS
The article deals with the problem of integration of migrants from the Maghreb and Turkey into the school system of the Federal Republic of Germany. The first problem that schoolchildren of Arab or Turkish origin have to face is the language barrier due to both the insularity of the migrant community and the rather high concentration of students (75-80%) from Arab and Turkish families in classes. In turn, poor knowledge of the language makes it difficult to master the school program and reduces the chances of receiving a quality education. Cultural and religious differences, which sometimes become an insurmountable obstacle to integration of migrant youth, are no less difficult to integrate. Particularly acute is the problem of violence and the spread of radical Salafism in schools, which neither teachers nor school administrators have been able to cope with so far. In addition, practice shows that the current education system in the Federal Republic of Germany, with its early segregation of pupils into different types of schools (gymnasium, basic school, real school), is rather inflexible and contributes greatly to the segregation of pupils of Arab and Turkish origin. Practice shows that the majority of pupils of Turkish or Arab origin either finish only basic school or remain without a certificate. This situation is dangerous not only because it deprives migrant youth of chances to get a decent job, but also creates social tension in society. The article concludes that only joint work of state authorities, schools and representatives of migrant communities can turn the situation around.
integration of migrants, secondary education system, FRG, gymnasium, Salafism.
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