The Salesians’ contribution to the education of underage Ukrainian refugees after the outbreak of the war in 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35765/mjse.2026.1529.19
Keywords: Salesian school, school education, Ukrainian minors in Poland, refugees, migration

Abstract

Research objectives and problems: This article addresses the problem of the education of Ukrainian migrant minors in Salesian schools in Poland after the outbreak of the war in 2022. Based on the available literature and the content of Salesian websites, the article aims to show the Polish Salesians’ contribution to the education and upbringing of underage Ukrainian students.

Research methods: The theoretical part was developed using an analytical approach to the literature on the subject. The second part of the article presents the author’s own qualitative empirical research. The method used in the above-mentioned research is document analysis.

Process of argumentation: The line of reasoning consists of two essential elements. In the first part of the article, the author discusses the legal problems related to the residence of foreign minors in Poland and points to statistical data on the presence of these Ukrainian minors in Polish schools. Further theoretical considerations concern the pupil and the teacher in a multicultural context and address the integration of minors in a pluralistic Polish society.

Research findings: Educational problems in daily practice: pupil turnover hinders educational work; the stress and trauma of fleeing the war, and the resulting cultural shock, hinder educational work and teaching; crisis situations become a priority for teachers; and teachers must apparently be sensitive to the needs of foreign pupils. Organisational, management, legal and didactic problems: incompatibility in terms of curricula raises organisational and didactic problems; school principals pay great attention to the creation of preparatory classes; there is a need for teachers specialised in working with migrant children with special needs; school principals and teachers are willing to cooperate with parents and guardians of migrant children; and teachers are aware of the need for further training on the issue of working in a multicultural context. Integration of pupils at the schools in question: factors favouring integration include mixed classes and extracurricular activities; and intercultural assistants play a significant role in the integration process of foreign pupils.

Recommendations: New research tools should be used to carry out further research on Ukrainian children in Polish schools. There is a need to carry out further inquiries into the obstacles that may accompany the integration of underage migrants in Polish schools. It would also be important from a cognitive point of view to carry out comparative research: the education of underage refugees in state schools and in schools run by religious congregations.

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Published
2026-06-30
How to Cite
Stańkowski, B. (2026). The Salesians’ contribution to the education of underage Ukrainian refugees after the outbreak of the war in 2022. Multidisciplinary Journal of School Education, 15(1 (29), 337-351. https://doi.org/10.35765/mjse.2026.1529.19
Issue
Vol. 15 No. 1 (29) (2026): Stress and Success Among Teachers
Section
Miscellaneous Articles

Copyright (c) 2026 Bogdan Stańkowski

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