They come to the Bar because of their native language

Ukrainians and Russians immigrate because they can go to a school where classes are adapted to their children

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From the "Adriatic" school, Photo: School
From the "Adriatic" school, Photo: School
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Bar is a transit station, but also a permanent home for citizens who escaped from Ukraine and Russia during the war, as evidenced by the "Adriatic" school that was opened in Bar in their native language. They learn Montenegrin, but they also work to promote the Russian and Ukrainian languages, so Russian-speaking citizens of other countries immigrate to Bar to enroll their children.

That education center was opened in 2022 in Ulica Maršala Tita, as a center to help families moving from Russia and Ukraine to Montenegro and Bar. Their main goal, as the school administration said, was to help the children to maintain their educational course as much as possible and not to lose the level of knowledge they had acquired in previous schools.

In the beginning, two years ago, about 30 students attended this school. Then that number increased significantly, they told "Vijesti", but they cannot derive the average, since the number of students is not constant, as families come and go every month.

Up to 250 students can temporarily attend the school during one year.

"There was a particularly strong transit in 2022. Up to 50 families approached us every month, and 20 to 30 families could also leave every month," said the administration.

Pupils come from various countries, but mainly they are citizens of Russia and war-torn Ukraine, as well as Belarus and Israel. Citizens of Germany and Turkey are also interested in international programs, but Montenegrins are also interested in teaching at school.

"However, we are just beginning to move towards greater internationality, when teachers will support learning according to programs in English," they said.

Their main task, as they say, is to help students master the programs they are used to. The working language is Russian, while classes in international programs are in English.

"Traditionally, our approaches have been valued for the high quality of teaching in mathematics, computer science and physics, as well as in natural sciences, biology and chemistry. In mathematics classes, we divide groups by level, which allows even better adaptation to the speed and depth of learning," they stated.

They also emphasized the culture of reading, so they are developing their library. In 2022, when they opened their doors, they donated more than 70 books in Russian to the city library in Bar.

All students from the first grade must learn Montenegrin and English. In literature classes, students can choose the language of study, Ukrainian or Russian. Also, they can choose another additional language: German, Italian, French or Spanish. Last year, Chinese and Czech were offered, but the students did not choose these languages ​​so far.

Given that their task, they emphasized, is primarily to help relocated families, the optimal number of students is the one that will be sufficient to fill the places. They do not strive to increase the number of students because, as they said, they want to maintain the high quality of teaching. That is why the classes are small and have no more than 12 students.

"Of course, as in any system, quality education is possible under conditions of maximum stability, including the reduction of transit through our Center. It makes a big difference whether a child is educated in one place for six months or two to three years," said the administration.

They assessed that it is ideal when a student completes the entire cycle of primary or secondary education in one place. They already have families moving to Bar because of the school.

They come from other parts of Montenegro, and among them are several Russian-speaking families from Croatia, Serbia, England and Spain. They can currently accommodate a maximum of 250 students for whom they also have additional activities, following the model from their home countries, such as workshops, creative activities, lectures and the like. These extracurricular activities take place in the afternoon and involve around 300 adults and children.

When asked what is the main difference of their educational center compared to state schools, they answer that in a state school, a new student must fit in and adapt to the existing system and teaching in the national language.

"However, we adapt the program to the needs of the students. This is very difficult to do in public schools", they concluded.

Initially, they were involved in the development of the "Adriatic" school in Budva, but in 2022, observing the large influx of immigrants to other cities of Montenegro, especially Herceg Novi and Bar, they decided to open classes in those cities as well.

They have education programs for children from pre-school, primary and secondary education as well as high school. According to information from their website, they place a special focus on refined arts as well as poetry and literature and reading classes, which they present as some of the highest qualities in their offer.

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