Czech minority integration project threatened

She said the Education Ministry had not yet decided whether the project would continue.

The project was carried out by the Institute of Pedagogic and Psychological Consulting Services via minority integration centres that were established in Opava, Karvina, Olomouc, all north Moravia, Most, north Bohemia, Brno and Prague.

Over 27,000 children, mainly primary school pupils, participated in the programme from January, 2007, to this April.

Experts helped them integrate at schools and solve problems with learning, communication and sometimes also with their poor Czech language knowledge.

The integration centres also offered help to pre-school children and teenagers who had already finished primary school attendance.

Moreover, the centres trained teachers and their assistants to better communicate with children from minority groups.

Some 2000 teachers and their aides used the centre’s services.

The project costs amounted to 80 million crowns, Muhic Voborilova said.