“You are nothing without education”: Refugees want more training opportunities

Sara Azar and Amine Diare Conde took part in a rally of the committee «Education for All – Now!» participated in Zurich. They tell why they are campaigning for easier access to education.

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Sara Azar (31) and Amine Diare Conde (23) fled to Switzerland in the hope of a better life. So far, they have not been able to complete a three-year training here. Access to an independent life is blocked for them. That is why they are now campaigning for the cause of «Education for everyone – now!» a. The union VPOD, the association Solidarité sans frontières, the Association of Swiss Student Unions (VSS) and other individuals are behind the matter. They demand that access to education be made easier for all. It is criticized that refugees who want to complete an apprenticeship and work in Switzerland often face insurmountable obstacles.

In a petition signed by over 19,000 people, the committee asked the Federal Council and Parliament to guarantee the right and entitlement to education for everyone, “regardless of residence status and according to their potential”. In this way, both children and adults should have the opportunity to receive an educational offer. On behalf of other refugees, Sara Azar and Amine Diare Conde talk about the obstacles that stand between them and vocational training.

Sara Azar (31) fled the war in Syria

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«I took part in the rally of« Education for everyone – now! » in Zurich because I see how important vocational training is in Switzerland. I need this if I want to make ends meet with my family and the three children myself. In Switzerland I worked as a volunteer in an old people’s center for a year. I want to work in nursing, so I completed a course as a nursing assistant. Now I’m looking for a job. As soon as possible, I would like to complete the apprenticeship as a health specialist in order to better support my family. My husband can do little to help, as he collapsed six years ago when we arrived in Switzerland after we escaped. Because the escape was an enormous effort and the initial rejection by the authorities a great disappointment. He experienced terrible things in the war. My children also still live with the memories of the war. One day three bombs exploded near our house, after which my eldest son stopped talking – he still needs speech therapy to this day. In view of all the hurdles, I was about to give up. But I decided not to give up. I don’t want any luxury, just live independently, pay for my apartment, health insurance and food myself. “

Amine Diare Conde (23) fled the dictatorship in Guinea

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«Without education you are nothing. That is why I support the cause of Education for All – Now! I am doing an apprenticeship as a structural draftsman. I want to do this at all costs, even if the road is rocky. Eight years ago I came to Switzerland alone, at the time I was 16 years old and the first thing I had to do was learn German. Soon I wanted to learn more, but I was denied that. So I collected money from my friends in order to graduate from school for around 10,000 francs. Then I would have received an apprenticeship. But since my asylum application was rejected, I was not allowed to start the apprenticeship. I submitted a hardship application. This came through and I got a B permit. As soon as I had this in hand, I applied again for an apprenticeship position and received an apprenticeship position within a week. Now I earn an apprenticeship wage of 800 francs, of which I pay 700 francs rent, for the apartment in Zurich. I also have to pay for the health insurance and all books. So I have to rely on friends for help again, and I want to stand on my own two feet. I am still hoping for an answer to my scholarship application. If I had received more government aid for my training, I would have become self-employed sooner, would have lost less time and would now have been working and paying taxes. »

Motion received encouragement from all parties
except for the SVP

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The Zurich National Councilor and VPOD President Katharina Prelicz-Huber (Greens) is also committed to the cause. At the end of September, in a motion to the Federal Council, she demanded that refugees and late immigrants have a longer chance of training. “It is often an illusion that the refugees learn German within a year and also start an apprenticeship right away,” she says. It takes a long time to introduce people to the Swiss education system. Your proposal for a corresponding change in the law met with broad approval in parliament. “I was able to motivate politicians from all parties except the SVP to sign,” says Prelicz-Huber. It is not just about giving refugees and late immigrants a chance, but also about remedying the shortage of skilled workers in Switzerland. “We have around a third of highly qualified people in underqualified jobs,” says Prelicz-Huber. That is a loss for the economy. These people are usually very motivated to do a good job in their field. A wider range of educational opportunities would better integrate the refugees and at the same time strengthen Swiss companies. “I am confident that the motion will advance thanks to the broad support in parliament,” says Prelicz-Huber. She hopes that people who flee to Switzerland will be able to complete an apprenticeship or study course here that suits them in the coming years.

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