Le Temps, Fre - An education experiment in Onex, one of the poorest parts of Geneva with a high percentage of immigrants, appears to be bearing fruit. In September 2006 the Tattes/Gros-Chêne primary school hired an educateur (early childhood specialist) as a backup for the teaching staff. Better integration was a goal but in the six months the programme has been in place teaching staff have found they spend less time focusing on one troubled student and more time teaching. Children who arrive in the morning suffering from problems at home have someone to turn to who is able to help them learn the ropes in a new country, new culture, new school - where they are often learning a new language, as well.
The additional post has made it possible to reduce the teaching load in the school from the normal 20.5 per class to 18 and as one of the best early measures of success all of the children in the third primary year at the school are reading.