Addressing segregation of Romany children: cost-cutting measures may succeed where good intentions failed
Ever since the fall of communism governments have struggled to deal with
the segregation of Romany children, a vast number of whom end up in special
schools which severely limits them in their future development. Now the
incoming administration is looking at the problem in terms of money and it
seems that, paradoxically, cost cutting measures may succeed where good
intentions have failed.
“Special schools” is a term used for schools catering to children with
learning disabilities. Classes are smaller and teachers are specially
qualified to help overcome and minimize such disadvantages. However for
years these schools have served a different purpose – taking in vast
numbers of Romany children who are not welcome in regular schools. Many
Romany first graders run up against a different cultural background, a
language barrier and are unable to sit still and follow the class. As a
result they are labeled backward and difficult –and many schools simply
get rid of them by getting their parents to sign a paper stating that they
agree to have their child put in a special school, where they are likely to
progress better. At present 30 percent of all Romany school goers attend
special schools, compared to a mere two percent of children from the white
majority.
Past efforts to change this have all failed miserably –and a
comprehensive long-term plan launched by the former human rights minister
Michael Kocáb has not yet shown any tangible results. But the incoming
centre-right government is determined to put the planned changes into
higher gear.
Running these special schools is costing the state 16 billion crowns
annually- an expense that’s poorly justified in view of the small number
of pupils that really belong there. With that aim in mind, the emerging
government has agreed on a series of measures aimed at getting Romany
children back into regular classrooms where they belong. Schools that take
the trouble to help Romanies integrate will get financial benefits for
working with socially challenged children, each school will employ the
services of a child psychologist to assist the integration process,
kindergarten attendance will become compulsory and Romany parents will be
alerted of the disadvantages of signing their children into a special
school. The papers they now sign will be presented to them in the Romany
language and parents who do not send their children to school regularly
will be stripped of social benefits.
Some of this was attempted in the past but with money for motivation this
time the measures could go a long way.
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