European Trade Union Committee for Education

The report of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission ‘Can digital technologies help reduce the migrant-native educational achievement gap?’ (2018) explores the access to digital technologies of 15 year olds and whether digital technologies can have an impact in decreasing the educational achievement gap between students from a migrant background and native students.

The report emphasises the importance of the use of digital technologies which can provide access to educational materials in native languages and stimulate the integration of migrant students in the host society which in turn can help combat migrant-students’ achievement gap. The report findings conclude that ICT for education is being used more among immigrant students than students born and raised in a given country and that their ICT skill levels are equal to native students. The findings highlight that ICT-related variables play a crucial role in decreasing the immigrant-native achievement gap. Hence, the report concludes that ICT for schoolwork at home should be used more whereas, more face-to-face interactions and support should occur within school premises. Moreover, the report stresses that country-and context-specific policies are required as the findings identified country differences between first and second generation immigrants.

ETUCE encourages inclusion and digitalisation as they can be a means of support, particularly promoting the social and emotional learning aspect for migrant students. It is important to ensure that all students are given equal access to high quality and inclusive education and equal opportunities irrespective of their background to help create a just and diverse society. ETUCE continuously calls on governments and education authorities to provide teachers with support and guidance so that they are able enhance migrant students’ educational achievement.

To learn more about ETUCE work on the topic of social inclusion in education please read ETUCE’s Position Paper on the new EU Digital Education Action Plan 2020, click here.