Roma children education
There are a number of social, economic, cultural and systemic causes resulting in non-enrolment, non-attendance and school drop-out among Roma children. Some child-related causes include: precarious health condition, delays in psycho-intellectual development, low learning motivation of Roma children, gender-based differences (according to which girls get married early, and their social role is to raise children and take care of the family), poor self image, and poor school results. According to the statements of teachers, some two thirds of Roma children who have dropped out show a lack of interest in school, over 20% have attitudes of rejection or repugnance, and only 10% have a positive attitude. (Source: The participation to education of Roma children – problems, solutions and actors; 2002). “Roma” school buildings are older and more overcrowded that other schools, and often lack a library. Such schools also have fewer qualified teachers and significantly higher teacher transfer rates, especially in those with grades 1-4; 67% of ‘Roma” schools had a deficit of qualified teachers, and among schools with 50% or more Roma students, the deficit was over 80%. (Source: Participation to education of the Roma children – problems, solutions, actors; 2002).
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