Roma students and their inclusion in schools

Abstract

The article discusses the role of education in Roma inclusion. Education is the basic right of all children. Diversity is seen as an advantage and opportunity to make schools more inclusive, but educational inequality is greatest among the Roma. Education has an important role, as schools work on integration processes. Research on teachers' attitudes towards Roma children show that their willingness to work with Roma students needs strengthening. First, we present the current situation in the inclusion of Roma in schools. Next, we focus on analysis of the RoMigSc project data related to inclusion of Roma children at school. The analysis showed that educators and volunteers do not see Roma students as well-included in schools; the main obstacle for this is their low school attendance. Also, there is low cooperation between non-Roma and Roma students and parents, and Roma parents and schools, despite the schools' efforts.