Rostov Authorities Concerned Over Migrant Children in Schools
Nearly half of all migrants in the region, specifically about 75,000 people, live in Rostov-on-Don. According to the MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs), about a quarter of them are registered in the Pervomaysky district, including the Temernik microdistrict.
At a meeting of the Don police board, the head of the regional MVD department, Alexander Rechitsky, reported that over 21,500 minor migrant children are studying in schools in the region. Although they make up less than 5% of all schoolchildren in the region overall, in 21 educational institutions, the share of children of «non-indigenous nationality» already exceeds 50% of the total number of students.
«I would like to separately note that their total number does not exceed 5% of the total number of schoolchildren, however, the fact that in 21 educational institutions in the Don region the number of children of non-indigenous nationality already exceeds 50% of the total number of students causes serious concern,» stated Rechitsky.
Authorities and law enforcement agencies fear that such a situation could contribute to the formation of national enclaves and lead to interethnic or religious tensions. At the same time, the head of the department noted that the region has managed to prevent mass interethnic conflicts.
Over the year, the number of foreigners in the region increased by 2%. Along with this, the number of crimes committed by newcomers increased by 3%.
«Such incidents can lead to interethnic tension,»commented Governor Yury Slyusar on this statistics.
As a measure aimed at curbing the migration flow, since January 1, the region has significantly increased the cost of work permits for foreigners. If it previously amounted to 6,537 rubles (about $93 at current rates), now it is 10,231 rubles (about $146 at current rates).
«This will significantly reduce the influx of foreign labor into our region, direct flows to regions with the lowest [permit] coefficient, and bring a significant contribution to the regional budget,»expressed confidence Alexander Rechitsky. Governor Yury Slyusar allowed for the possibility of further increases in this cost.
«On issues of migration control, our position has been and remains principled,»emphasized the head of the regional MVD department.
