For children growing up in poverty, school can be a place where social inequalities become particularly visible. Financial hardship can lead to exclusion, a sense of injustice, and the feeling of being different from one’s peers. In Poland, children and young people under the age of 18 remain the group most at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
One in Four Children Experiences Peer Exclusion
According to research conducted this year by the Ministry of National Education, nearly one in four children experiences exclusion by their peers at school, while almost two-thirds of students have encountered bullying or systematic harassment.
The authors of the study identify unequal opportunities for young people entering adulthood, as well as poverty, among the eight key factors that influence the lives and prospects of Poland’s younger generation.
The scale of the problem is also highlighted by a report from the Empowering Children Foundation. According to the report, as many as 87% of the students surveyed experienced at least one form of peer violence during the previous year. The most common forms included ridicule, negative comments about appearance, and online hate.
Greater Opportunities, Greater Confidence
Caritas Poland is addressing these challenges through its “Skrzydła” (“Wings”) scholarship programme, which provides financial support to children and young people from families facing financial difficulties.
Families can use the support to cover a wide range of essential educational and developmental needs, including clothing, school lunches, class trips, tutoring, and extracurricular activities. By helping to meet these needs, the programme gives children a more equal chance to participate fully in school life and to develop their abilities alongside their peers.
The support is about more than financial assistance. It helps remove barriers that can prevent children from taking part in everyday school activities and can make a significant difference to their sense of belonging, confidence, and opportunities for development.
Research conducted among programme beneficiaries shows that the scholarships have helped reduce financial barriers to education. At the same time, 82% of scholarship recipients said that the support had increased their self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities.
Since the scholarship programmes were launched, more than 16,000 students have benefited from this support. Caritas Poland has invested nearly PLN 25 million in the programmes, helping children and young people from disadvantaged families overcome financial barriers and giving them greater opportunities to learn, develop, and participate fully in school life.
Photo: Pexels, pixabay.com
By Family News Service / Piotr Kowalczuk