Munich (dpa/lby) – For the now around 30,000 Ukrainian pupils at Bavarian schools, there should also be tailor-made teaching and support offers in the next school year. In particular, the so-called bridging classes at secondary schools will be continued. This was announced by Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (free voters) on Wednesday.

“We are continuing our course of school integration for the children and young people who have fled Ukraine,” he said. A system has been established that has gradually introduced around 30,000 Ukrainian students to the Bavarian school system in the current school year. “In view of the still uncertain situation in Ukraine, we want to continue to be as flexible as possible for the coming school year,” announced Piazolo.

In concrete terms, this means that the “bridging classes” should be continued for those who continue to focus on learning German. These are designed for all school types and place a special focus on language learning opportunities. “At the same time, pupils in bridging classes have the opportunity to take part in Ukrainian distance learning to a certain extent and thus keep in touch with their Ukrainian homeland with a view to a possible return,” said Piazolo. Anyone who is already that far and who meets the admission requirements can enter a regular class at a middle school, business school, junior high school or high school.

The schools should advise the families from Ukraine individually. “So that students and their parents can better assess which path in the Bavarian school system is the most suitable, the schools will make a recommendation for the school career in May 2023 and offer parents and students appropriate advice,” announced the Ministry of Education.