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, Gipsy, 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. These findings are discussed in papers such as Improving educational outcomes for children and young people from traveling cultures (Scottish Government, 2018) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Education Briefings. 

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. Interviews with community members reveal that some families choose to homeschool their children due to thought of restrictions in the system and a curriculum that does not align with their values. Regardless of these difficulties, there is a clear need for education and skill development, particularly as an approach for generating future employment and improving life opportunities for future generations. Further interviews present stories with 44 young Gypsies and Travellers aged 15–25, discussing the educational challenges and barriers they face in London. 

The situation in Europe regarding education in several countries, such as Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary continues to face ongoing challenges. A recent judgment by the European Roma Rights Centre confirmed that segregation education practices are still a serious issue.

This is the link: European Court rules against Slovakia for discriminatory treatment of Romani pupil – European Roma Rights Centre.

It confirms that Slovakia discriminated against a Romani pupil by placing them in a special class for children with disabilities. Despite legal pressure, these kinds of practices persist.

It’s clear that there is an urgent need for changes, inclusive and equal education for all.

Across Europe, Roma children have lower levels of educational attainment, from primary to higher education. Reports such as Roma Integration Strategies - European Commission (2020) and UNICEF's Education for Every Child: Roma Children in Europe find barriers such as poverty, systemic discrimination, and limited access to early childhood 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 undertaken in various European countries also highlight the cultural divide between Roma families and mainstream education systems, which frequently results in mistrust or disengagement. These attempts are being made at both the 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 are shown in this video, it shares stories from individuals about their journeys through higher education, highlighting both challenges and successes.