summary:
The research objective was to examine early childhood education opportunities of the asylum-seeker children living in reception centers. Asylum seeker children are according to the national guiding and mandatory documents (including Early Childhood Education Act, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), warranted for early childhood education, but on a practical level public early childhood education services seldom reach them. In reception centers activity targeted to asylum seeker children under school age is mostly locally organized and its concepts are mixed.
The study is an ethnographic action research, which main research material consists of data carried out by researcher’s participant observation, and interviews of experts, who have different perspectives to early childhood education of asylum seeker children. The experts have been interviewed towards the end of the study. The study conducted in the Tampere region, especially in Tampere Kauppi reception center early childhood club activities. Researcher participated in the activity as a volunteer, an employee and as a researcher. The experts interviewed approach the issue from their own point of view and role. The research material was analyzed by using data-driven methods. The theoretical framework for the study consists the definition of an asylum seeker and the definition of early childhood education, as well as the chapters of social role of the asylum seeker, family life in the reception centers and the basics of early childhood education, which are compiled on the basis of the national policies, legislation and previous research.
According to the study to offer early childhood education services which are equivalent and corresponding to the needs of every family living in reception centers, we need new, flexible structures of early childhood education as well as national guidelines of early childhood education for asylum-seeker children. Early Childhood Education Activity organized in reception center encourages families to bring their children to participate and helps to keep the threshold to participate in activity low. Moreover, it makes possible close co-operation with other staff of the reception center, which supports to pay attention individual needs of families in early childhood education activities. On the other hand, in the early childhood education implemented in reception centers can be seen risks involved in marginalization and institutionalization; activities carried out in the surrounding area would support better the integration of families to society and culture. In the conclusions of the study are presented an alternative solution: so-called preparatory early childhood education paid by the state, which would define the obligation to arrange, the funding and the questions of equal quality nationwide. The policy should take a stand for quality and financial questions, but also for the implementation place of early childhood education for asylum seeker families and consideration of their specific needs.
The web link to this work:
An event marking the end of a course (WCE) on Tampere University.
For more information please contact “Anja Heikkinen” <Anja.Heikkinen@uta.fi> or “Mohammed Mansoor” <mohammed.mansoor@staff.uta.fi>
Address : Virta-building, Åkerlundinkatu 5, EDU’s cafe
Time: Friday, May 19 at 12 AM – 4 PM UTC+03.
ntroduction by Ilkka Jaakkola, followed by comments and discussion
Friday 21.4.2017, 10-12
Virta-building, Åkerlundinkatu 5, room 109
Organizers: Let´s Work Together-action group
Mr Ilkka Jaakkola has a long-term experience as a consultant and
developer of partnerships and projects, which aim at supporting
inclusion of refugees and migrants from the Middle-East in Finland,
and rehabilitation and reconstruction in the area. In the event, he is
providing a mission report about his current round trip in the
Middle-East, is commenting mainstream aid mechanisms and methods, and
suggests alternative ways to proceed. The presentation is followed by
comments and discussion about possibilities to develop participatory
partnerships between educational and other actors in Pirkanmaa and the
Middle-East.
The event is open to all. Inquiries, anja.heikkinen@uta.fi
Open Europe? Open education?
Discussion event on 3.4.2017, 17-19, in Sampola restaurant, Sammonkatu 2.
It is not only Trump that is building walls against Mexico. Europe has at least as many fences and border controls to keep unwanted migrants out. Unfortunately, also in Finland, there are walls – physical, psychical, social and political – also in education, excluding too many. Welcome to discuss, how asylum seekers and refugees have experienced the national and educational closures, how educational institutions have reacted, and how could pathways for more open future be developed together
Invited introductions and comments to discussion include
* Experiences and expectations of refugees/asylum seekers
* Lessons learned in Supporting immigrants in higher education-project
* Experiences from a Syrian exchange student in UTA from Berlin
* Reactions in (adult) education institutions
* Expert comment based on current visits to the Middle East
* Comments from regional policy-makers
The discussion will take place in English, with interpretations into Finnish and Arabic if needed.
For inquiries, contact anja.heikkinen@uta.fi
Debating for Academic Purposes (2 ECTS)
This course focuses on argumentative speech in the context of formal debates. The course is about formal academic spoken communication in English, not about the structure and vocabulary of the English language. To be able to participate in the debates, the students need to have fairly good skills in English.
If you are interested in participating in the course, send an email to the teacher latest on 1st March 2017 and write about the reason why you would think this course would be suitable for you.
Thu 9-Mar-2017 – 20-Apr-2017 weekly at 12.30-15.30, Main building E301
Exceptions:
23-Mar-2017 at 12.30 –15.30, PinniB 5078
Teacher: Mirja Hämäläinen, email: mirja.hamalainen@uta.fi
Course information and teaching schedule:
