GOS ROMA STRATEGY: STEPS FORWARD IN EDUCATION

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000855 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/RPM HEATHER TROUTMAN DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CSCE COMMISSION - ERIKA SCHLAGER BUDAPEST FOR USAID - MONIQUE NOWICKI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV ELAB SOCI LO SUBJECT: GOS ROMA STRATEGY: STEPS FORWARD IN EDUCATION REFTEL: (A) BRATISLAVA 740 (B) BRATISLAVA 789 This is the third in a series of cables on current GOS activities to address Roma issues. ¶1. Summary. In Slovakia, Roma comprise an estimated twenty- five percent of the population under 16 years old. Children with Romany ethnicity, particularly in Eastern Slovakia, are more likely to be placed into "special schools" for the mentally disabled and less likely to attain secondary education. The GOS recently introduced several programs to help combat these problems, such as employing Roma Teaching Assistants (RTA) and providing stipends for students. However, the "Concept of Integrated Education of Roma Children" approved by the GOS in May has yet to be converted into practical actions. End Summary. "Special Schools" and Roma Integration -------------- ¶2. The Ministry of Education (MOE) estimates that approximately 43 percent of Roma are children under 16 years old. About 40 percent of these children attend special schools for the mentally disabled, compared with only 3 percent of Slovaks or Hungarians. Human rights observers state Roma are not adequately tested for disabilities, but are more often placed into "special schools" due to poor Slovak language comprehension or non-standard behaviors resulting from growing up in extreme poverty. ¶3. The educational system is currently undergoing reorganization and preparation for significant changes. In May, the GOS approved the "Concept of Integrated Education of Roma Children." This plan will transform legislation and operational activities with a substantial increase in funding. The MOE is expected to submit a new Law on Schools in December replacing the current law that dates back to the Communist era, which will compliment this effort. Although local governments are closing elementary schools for financial reasons, but the status of "special schools," administered by the MOE through regional offices, will not be affected. MOE Roma Initiatives -------------- ¶4. Roma Teaching Assistants: NGOs and international donors supported numerous Roma Teaching Assistants (RTAs) pilot programs, which the GOS later adopted. RTAs, funded through the MOE or through the local unemployment office, help students in the classroom with communication and homework after school. ¶5. Preparatory classes: Few Roma children are enrolled in preschool classes, and thus do not have the same level of preparation upon entering elementary school. The GOS supports a preparatory grade designed for Roma children in their first year of school. In the past school year, 121 schools opened new preparatory grades that will accommodate 1737 students. ¶6. Scholarships: In the 2004/2005 school year, the government will begin providing scholarships to secondary and university students from disadvantaged families. The money will supplement transportation and material costs to attend school. Nearly 28,000 students will be eligible for a 1000 SKK (33 USD) monthly payment. ¶7. Holding Parents Accountable: Recently-strengthened laws tightened measures against parents of truant children. If a child is chronically absent from school, local officials can garnish benefit payments or pursue criminal charges. A school director in Rakusy told emboffs that on occasion parents kept children at home so local officials would disburse their money instead of having to hand over benefit payments to the local moneylenders. ¶8. Encouraging Secondary School: The Banska Bystrica regional government with assistance from the EU has recently begun a Gandhi school in Slovakia for Roma children, based on the successful model operating in Pecs, Hungary. Thirty- nine children from socially disadvantaged families (30 percent are non-Roma) began studying at the boarding school. Organizers believe that boarding schools will produce a larger Roma middle class able to enter public service and other professions, but have high material costs attached. Two other locations also offer boarding school options. Comment -------------- ¶9. There are several pilot educational models and assistance programs currently operating and creating more opportunities for Roma children. However, a complex program for integration is still only at the stage of a "Concept." The new Law on Schools will provide an improved legal base for an open and flexible educational system in Slovakia and also formalize the new initiatives to support Roma integration. As more structures are institutionalized, the communication and cultural barriers, that gave rise to the abuse of "special schools," will hopefully disappear. THAYER NNNN