Czech Schools Open to Children of Foreigners Staying Illegally more.

On 5 March, it was reported that children of foreigners who stay in the Czech Republic illegally should soon have a chance to attend Czech schools without problems, according to a recenlty drafted amendment to the law on education. Under the current law, schools are obliged to demand that children submit evidence about their legal stay in the Czech Republic. Organisations aiding refugees have pointed out that the Czech law prevents some foreign children from attending schools and thereby violates their right to education, which is at variance with international conventions, such as the Convention on Children's Rights, binding on the Czech Republic. "Children have the right to education no matter if they live legally or illegally in the country," Burdova-Hradecna, from the Advisory Centre for Refugees, stressed. The previous legislation did not regulate the education of foreigners staying in the Czech Republic illegally, and primary schools could admit a child without a residence permit. At present, only foreigners with a permanent residence permit or with long-term or short term-visas, asylum seekers and persons guaranteed temporary protection have the right to education in the Czech Republic. The Advisory Centre for Refugees addressed 230 schools in Prague and only 12 of them said they would accept children of illegal immigrants. Burdova-Hradecna said that the reasons given by some schools reflected xenophobia. She stressed that children's interests should be preferred to State interests in combatting illegal migration. Activists also point out that current illegal immigrants can be later granted a residence permit, and Czech education would then help their children integrate into Czech society.