Roma and equal Access to Education Roma and equal Access to Education From segregation to integrated schooling Brussels, 28-29 April 2006 .

Roma and equal Access to Roma and equal Access to EducationEducation

From segregation to integrated schooling

Brussels, 28-29 April 2006

www.gitanos.org

ContentContent

1. The Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG)

2. Spain’s Education System

3. Education and the Roma Community in Spain

The Fundación Secretariado GitanoThe Fundación Secretariado Gitano

Non-profit inter-cultural social organisation

Mission: the social advancement of the Roma community based on respect for cultural identity.

Activity:Provision of services to the Roma communityTraining, counselling, awareness-heightening

The Fundación Secretariado Gitano

Direct beneficiaries of our actions (2005): 70,000

Work centres throughout Spain: 60

The The Fundación Secretariado Fundación Secretariado GitanoGitano

Workers: over 728 (2005)

The Fundación Secretariado Gitano

International cooperation: 14 countries.

Spain´s Education System

Integrated schooling.

Education: two types of teaching:General Education: basic voluntary and compulsory

Education.

Specialised Education: Artistic Education, Language Education, Education leading to the Sport Technician Certificate.

Adult Education: basic education for adults and vocational training.

Characteristics of Educational System

Integrated schooling

Compulsory Education: free of charge

Grants to defray student expenses: meals, transport, books, school material.

University scholarships.

Specific compensatory programmes (temporary measures)

Teacher´s training

Programmes targeting NGOs and other organisations.

PRE-SCHOOL (INFANT PRE-SCHOOL (INFANT EDUCATION)EDUCATION)

Ages: from 0 to 5

PRIMARY EDUCATIONPRIMARY EDUCATION

Ages: 6-11

COMPULSORY COMPULSORY SECONDARY EDUCATIONSECONDARY EDUCATION

(E.S.O)(E.S.O)

Ages: 12- 16.

BACHILLERATOBACHILLERATO

Ages: 16-18Ages: 16-18

Academic years: 2

UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY

A.C.E.S*A.C.E.S*

(Aulas de Compensación

Educativa)

Age: 15

Professional Initiation Programs

Age: 16

* 2 academic years

Intermediate Training Intermediate Training CyclesCycles

Advanced Training Advanced Training CyclesCycles E

MP

LO

YM

EN

TE

MP

LO

YM

EN

T

The Roma Community in Spain

Sedentary Approximately: 650,000 40% under the age of 16 45% reside in the south of Spain (Andalusia) Heterogeneity and diversity Identity based on a common origin and tradition, shared

beliefs, values, philosophy of life and a yearning to be recognised as Roma

Fewer than 30 years: access to housing local plans High percentage characterised by deficiencies in areas:

education, housing, health care, fostering of their culture and identity.

Education and the Roma Education and the Roma CommunityCommunity

Level of schooling of Roma Community below that of other social groups.

Illiteracy: higher in the case of women.

Repercussions: fail to take advantage of opportunities.

Enrolment of Roma children: fruit of efforts. They are reaching levels of education superior to those of their parents.

Small group going to finish high school and university (250 at university).

Education and the Roma Education and the Roma CommunityCommunity

Difficulties:

Irregular attendanceProblems in conforming to certain routines at school.Come to class without necessary school material.Relations between families and schools are

insufficient.Absenteism at the age of 12-13, especially the girls.

Education and the Roma Education and the Roma CommunityCommunity

Causes: A large number of families fails to give the same importance

to schooling. Expectations: “Knowing how to read and write is quite

enough”. Educational is basically the responsibility of the family. They feel that the school will fail to teach their children

Roma values. The school represents a cultural majority and a type of

society that makes it difficult for ethnic minorities.

Education and the Roma Education and the Roma CommunityCommunity

Degree of educational mainstreaming of the Roma population in Spain (Nation-wide study 2000-2001)

17

27

19

22

7 814,13

17,7

10,613,2

2,5 2,9

15,418,1

10,8

15,4

3 3,8

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1. Access 2. School pace,routines and

rules

3. SocialInteraction

4. Terms ofschool

achievement

5. Familiyparticipation

6. Right todifference

Normative punctuation Study year 1994 Study year 2001

Education and the Roma Education and the Roma CommunityCommunity

Educational status of Roma students at Compulsory Secondary Education

39.3 %

43.7 % 50

%63.4

%

60.7 %

56.3 %

50 %

36.6

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200Number of students

men 119 58 31 15women 77 45 31 26

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Roma population and Roma population and employmentemployment

A comparative study (FSG 2006)

2.5 13.1

12.8 58.2

23.1 22.4

61.6 6.3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Illiterate

No studies

Primary

Secondary or more

2001 census Roma