Education

One of the main reasons Roma people moved away from their birth country and ended up in Scotland was the search for a better life, especially for their children including having access to better education. The schools that serve Govanhill, where most Roma in Scotland live, are working hard to ensure education is an inclusive and positive experience for Roma children now living in Glasgow. The experience in primary school is mostly positive, but the transition from primary to secondary school is a challenge for many.

The Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller communities in Scotland confront some of the most serious educational challenges of any ethnicity. School attendance stays low, with many young people not finishing primary school or progressing to secondary education. Exclusion rates are the highest in the country, and many students leave school without any formal qualifications. You can see these findings and further information here - Enhancing education for Traveller youth in Scotland.

While some Roma children have positive school experiences and pursue further or higher education, other people face bullying, discrimination, and a lack of cultural understanding in school settings. 

The need for good access to education and skill development for Roma people is very important, particularly as an approach for generating future employment and improving life opportunities for future generations. 

Interviews present stories with 44 young Gypsies and Travellers aged 15–25, discussing the educational challenges and barriers they face in London. Watch here - Higher education through Gypsy Roma and Traveller Perspectives.

The situation for Roma in education in several European countries, such as Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary continues to be challenging for many.  A recent judgment by the European Roma Rights Centre confirmed that segregated education practices are still a serious issue, see here - ECtHR Finds Discrimination in Slovakia’s Special-Class Placement. This confirms that Slovakia discriminated against a Romani pupil by placing them in a special class for children with  learning disabilities. Despite legal pressure, these kinds of practices have  persisted for many years. It is clear there is an urgent need for changes, to deliver inclusive and equal education for all.

Across Europe, Roma children have lower levels of educational attainment, from primary to higher education.  Roma children in Europe face barriers such as poverty, systemic discrimination, and limited access to early childhood education.and this is shown here - EU Strategy for Roma Inclusion 2020–2030: Focus on Equality, Participation, and Education 

Many Roma students are affected by a lack of inclusive teaching practices, digital exclusion, and high dropout rates - issues that became even more visible during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interviews from various European countries highlight the cultural divide between Roma families and mainstream education systems, which frequently result in mistrust or disengagement. Attempts are being made at national and international levels to promote inclusion and address these gaps, but huge obstacles remain in making sure all Roma children have equal opportunities to learn, prosper and achieve success. 

Gypsy, Roma and Travellers' Experiences of Higher Education is a project in the UK addressing the challenges that Roma young people face in education.  click to hear Roma people from many different Roma backgrounds share their stories about their connection with higher education