The man making sure asylum kids go to school

Switzerland’s first school attendance officer is making sure the children of asylum seekers are properly educated. (RTS/swissinfo.ch)

Migration educator Pascal Fèvre gets the children off to school and supports their families as part of efforts to integrate them in Swiss society and help them to learn French.

Around 3,000 young asylum seekers arrive in Switzerland every year, and 500 of them are with their families in reception centres in canton Geneva.

In the educational sector, refugee children are treated just like any other children living in Switzerland. 

School attendance is compulsory for nine years. After four to six years at primary level, children may transfer to secondary level if their work is good enough. Tuition at state schools is free of charge during the period of compulsory education.

Asylum seekers and refugees attend the compulsory schools and are able to do professional training.