IKASTOLA
Total bilingualism:

Besides transmitting a rich cultural heritage, one of the essential aims for “Ikastolas”–Basque-medium schools– is for their students to speak, read, write and learn in both Basque and French. By starting to learn French right from the early stages of primary education and being immersed in a Basque environment in activities both in and out of school, the children acquire the two languages from an early age, even if their home environment is French.

IKASTOLA,
A unique pedagogical approach:

The team of teachers at Ikastola is involved in an education project that has children and adolescents at its centre. This project takes into consideration the person from a general as well as from a specific perspective. The project enjoys the support of the close collaboration between teachers and parents.
SEASKA’s professional team provides its Ikastolas with logistical and pedagogical assistance. This team operates in different spheres: it helps children with learning difficulties, guarantees the training of new teachers, promotes and monitors activities in the educational sphere...

IKASTOLA,
An associative school :

The 25 Ikastolas (20 primary ikastolas, three junior high schools and one high school) in the Northern Basque Country [under French jurisdiction] are members of the SEASKA federation. Ikastolas are linked to the [French] Education Department by means of their status as private schools under associative contract. Over two thousand students attend Ikastola from nursery school right up to sixth form level.
All parents have an opportunity to play an active role in the local association that manages their Ikastola as well as at federation level, where decisions to shape and develop the Ikastola movement are taken.

The rich, lively dynamics of the association is reflected in events like the Herri Urrats festival, pedagogical conferences, lectures, concerts.
The Ikastolas have links with the Ikastolas in the Southern Basque Country [under Spanish jurisdiction] as well as with other associative schools that develop the immersion model in the French State (with the Breton, Occitan, Catalan and Alsatian schools).

L'IKASTOLA,
A positive balance :

The broad catchment area of Ikastolas highlights the success and development of the Basque-medium education model SEASKA has set up. It is an advantage, it is an additional freedom to be able to offer the Basque Country’s children Basque-medium education. On the other hand, we are drawing strength to pursue our chosen path from the growth we can see in employment opportunities and job offers for Basque youngsters. Ikastolas no longer need to prove their pedagogical qualities. Their associative character gives them a tremendous capacity to adapt. By adopting a pioneering role they go on promoting innovative projects. Thanks to their dynamism and creative spirit Ikastolas are playing an active part in the process to redeem and revive the Basque language.

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