- Many fathers and mothers who choose nurseries with Basque immersion do not have the possibility to do so in Iparralde, as the supply is lower than the demand. In order to meet this demand, they need one more worker, but since they have not obtained public subsidies they have launched a recovery campaign.
"To address the worrying situation of Euskera in her early childhood," the Konkolotx association has launched a campaign to raise funds. Founded in 2022, Konkolotx consists of eight Iparralde day care centers and day care centers working on the Basque immersion model: Shirt from Biarritz, Txiki Txoko from Hendaia, Baiona Pen, Xoko Ttipi from Angelu, Xübücota de Maule, Ttinka de Lakarra, Ttuku Ttuku from Ziburu and Kilima from Azkain.
In the 0-3 years, parents who would like children in childcare centres in Euskera often do not have this option and have to resort to the most bilingual or monolingual French system. In order to provide an optimal response to the request, Konkolotxe has opted for the incorporation of one worker in half of his job and has applied for a grant to the Basque Public Organization, but “not yet”. Therefore, they have launched a fundraising campaign to "start working as soon as possible" and "offer children and families care in Basque".
"Language transmission begins before 3 years and immersion is the most effective model to ensure transmission"
Low Basque supply
29% of the daycare centers are within the label system managed by the Colegio Urbano and the Public Institution of the Basque Country and most are bilingual daycare centers. Less than 5% of the spaces offered in immersion. In the case of exotic nurseries, 18% work in the immersion model (5 out of 28 Basques).
"All families should be able to choose the reception in Basque," said Konkolotxe members. In short, "the transmission of language starts from 3 years of age and immersion is the most effective model to ensure transmission".