Tag Archives: Education

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Teachers

Published by:

Slovak Teachers

 Teachers in Slovakia face complex challenges beyond just delivering lessons, often acting as psychologists, mediators, and advocates for their students, especially in classrooms with high numbers of marginalized Roma students.

A recent study found that while teachers in these environments experience significant stress, the presence of Roma students alone does not correlate directly with increased burnout; rather, it is the additional responsibilities and lack of support that contribute to their stress.

The study emphasizes the need for more support for teachers, such as the presence of educational assistants, to help them manage their expanded roles and ensure quality education for all students.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma Students and Police …

Published by:

Roma Students and Police …

In the Maramureș County for the 2026-2027 school year, there are 3,872 Roma students enrolled, including 306 high school students.

During the computer allocation process on July 16, 40 candidates were assigned to places specifically allocated for Roma students, with four coming from other counties.

The local prefecture is actively disseminating information about admission opportunities to Roma communities, with online registration open until October 4, 2026.

Cristina Moldovan, a representative of the Maramureș County Prefecture, also presented information provided by the Maramureș County Police Inspectorate regarding the allocation of places for Roma candidates in the admission competitions for two educational institutions.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Education in Romania

Published by:

Education in Romania

A meeting on September 28 focused on improving access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities for Roma communities in Maramureș, Romania.

Key issues discussed included reserved spots for Roma candidates in police schools and the enrollment of Roma students in local schools, with 3,872 Roma students registered in the 2026-2027 school year.

Access to healthcare was also addressed, revealing that 125 Roma individuals in Baia Mare are not registered with a family doctor, prompting plans for further collaboration to enhance their access to medical services.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

PISA and Roma

Published by:

PISA and Roma

Juraj Čokyna has been working on education for students from generational poverty for a decade, focusing on the impact of socio-economic backgrounds on educational outcomes in Slovakia.

Recent PISA test results indicate that socio-economic factors significantly affect Slovak students’ performance, with experts noting that the education system struggles to address these inequalities.

Čokyna emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle early school leaving, highlighting the importance of understanding the diverse reasons behind it, including mental health issues and financial barriers.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Education in Montenegro

Published by:

Education in Montenegro

Education is crucial for the social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, with ongoing challenges and improvements in the educational system highlighted by Sultan Beća from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights.

Significant measures include dedicated scholarships and housing support for students from the Roma and Egyptian communities, aiming to enhance their educational success and social integration.

The government is committed to continuing efforts to prevent early school dropout and ensure that students from vulnerable backgrounds have the resources needed to pursue higher education.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Scholarships

Published by:

Scholarships

High school students from the Roma minority who received scholarships from the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth will not need to reapply for the scholarship if their schools submit the required documentation by October 21, 2026.

The scholarship program is part of the National Plan for the Inclusion of Roma from 2021 to 2027, aimed at keeping students in education and reducing dropout risks due to financial burdens.

New applicants, including first-year high school students and those who have not previously received the scholarship, must apply through a public call for the 2026/2027 school year.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Pisa Study and Slovakia

Published by:

Pisa Study and Slovakia

Slovak Education Minister Tomáš Drucker acknowledges the negative impact of socio-economic backgrounds on student performance and is implementing reforms to address this issue, including earlier access to pre-primary education.

Recent changes in a large Roma community in Jarovnice involved the removal of afternoon classes, leading to all children attending school only in the morning.

Teachers play a crucial role in these reforms, with a focus on providing equal educational opportunities regardless of a child’s family background, as emphasized by Drucker and supported by opposition claims of neglect in education under previous governments.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Mahala Beats

Published by:

Mahala Beats

Mahala Beats is a collaborative project aimed at empowering young Roma in the Nadejda neighborhood of Sliven, Bulgaria, through media education and music, addressing issues of trust, representation, and resilience against misinformation.

The project includes workshops that engage participants as active producers of content, exploring local narratives and misinformation, culminating in the creation of music and video productions.

The initiative seeks to foster critical thinking and community engagement, ultimately aiming to reshape the narrative around Roma identity and representation in the public discourse.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Discrimination

Published by:

Discrimination

The story of a Roma boy’s first day at school, where classmates reportedly rejected him based on his ethnicity, was shared by his mother on social media.

The school principal confirmed the incident, stating it was an isolated case of inappropriate behavior among students, and emphasized the school’s commitment to equality and respectful relationships.

The article highlights the broader societal issue of discrimination against Romani children and calls for reflection on the impact of such rejection on young students.

Well, Slovenia’s general attitude towards Roma is not really positive …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Kindergarten Enrolment

Published by:

Kindergarten Enrolment

In the Slovenian municipalities of Šentjernej, Škocjan, and Šmarješke Toplice, acceptance of Children in kindergartens is supposed to be easy and fast.

However, despite a large Roma population in Šentjernej, no Roma children are currently enrolled in local kindergartens, highlighting challenges in getting them to school.

The number of children with special needs is increasing, while overall birth rates are declining, affecting kindergarten enrollment numbers.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Integration

Published by:

Integration

Ecaterina Topor, a young Roma woman, transformed her life through education, learning three languages and becoming a qualified chef, which boosted her confidence and opened new opportunities.

After graduating, she received guidance from the National Employment Agency, leading to a successful internship and job at a local restaurant, despite facing some prejudice due to her ethnicity.

Currently employed at an international company, Ecaterina advocates for education and self-reliance, encouraging other young Roma to pursue their dreams and build their futures.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro – Equal Opportunity

Published by:

Montenegro – Equal Opportunity

The NGO for the support of Roma and Egyptians emphasizes that educational inclusion must be measured by tangible opportunities for children, such as access to schools and scholarships, rather than just strategies and public messages.

Positive progress has been noted in the educational and social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, with the Ministry of Education playing a key role in improving their situation.

The organization stresses the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Roma community, to create effective policies and ensure equal educational opportunities for all children.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Education

Published by:

Slovenia Education

Nine months after the Ombudsman submitted a report on the education of Roma children to the National Assembly, there has been no discussion on it, prompting the Ombudsman to call for action.

The report, sent in October 2025, includes 19 recommendations aimed at improving the educational progress of Roma children and fostering coexistence with the majority population.

The Ombudsman emphasizes the urgency of addressing educational failures, especially following a tragedy in Novo mesto that highlighted the need for effective measures in education and integration.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

Published by:

Education in Moldova

Seven educational institutions in Moldova will test a new methodology for evaluating school practices from a human rights perspective, focusing on the protection of students’ rights, especially for vulnerable groups like Roma and refugees.

The methodology aims to help schools assess the respect for children’s rights in educational processes and daily practices, identifying areas for improvement.

The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNICEF Moldova and the UN Office for Human Rights in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research.

  • Protecție sporită pentru copiii romi și refugiați: O metodologie nouă privind drepturile omului, testată în șapte școli. In: Radio Moldova. 10.08.2026. https://radiomoldova.md/p/82781
News Eastern Europe Serbia

Initiative for Romnja

Published by:

Initiative for Romnja

The initiative for Romnja students in Serbia has been empowering young Romane women for over a decade by providing education, mentorship, and community engagement.

Their mission emphasizes that no girl should abandon her education due to a lack of information, support, or role models, fostering a cycle of mentorship and leadership among Romani women.

The initiative challenges stereotypes and discrimination, advocating that education is a right and a powerful tool for equality and social change.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Affirmative Action

Published by:

Affirmative Action

The Romanian Ministry of Education discussed the expansion of affirmative measures for Roma students and clarified the role of a mechanism to confirm Roma ethnicity during consultations with various stakeholders.

Approved measures for the 2026-2027 academic year include guaranteed places in primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as scholarships and a mechanism for confirming eligibility based on ethnicity.

The confirmation mechanism is voluntary and aims to ensure that affirmative measures reach the intended beneficiaries, with the document being issued by Roma community organizations or local authorities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Education

Published by:

Education

Gabriela Gáborová, a Roma mayor in Slovakia, emphasizes the importance of education for Roma children and has prioritized building a kindergarten in her village, Vtáčkovce, while addressing illegal housing issues.

She faces discrimination as a Roma woman in her role, having received extremist threats since taking office, but remains committed to her work and believes in judging individuals by their actions rather than their ethnicity or gender.

Gáborová highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal constructions and land ownership disputes in her community, advocating for legal housing solutions and integration of Roma families into society.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

School Dropouts

Published by:

School Dropouts

The city of Podgorica and the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives have published a book addressing the causes and consequences of Roma and Egyptian children’s dropout from primary education, authored by Fana Delija.

The book emphasizes the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination, urging policymakers to ensure that no child drops out of school and to promote social integration.

The publication coincides with the European Day of Remembrance for the Roma genocide during World War II, aiming to foster understanding and combat racial discrimination in Montenegro.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Teachers

Published by:

Roma Teachers

The shortage of teachers is a significant challenge for the educational system, but a new initiative is helping young people find careers in education.

The initiative “Teacher in My Community” has enabled twenty young individuals of Roma descent to graduate and many are now working in education.

The program identifies high-achieving students in small towns, supports their education, and facilitates internships in kindergartens to ensure they are employed after graduation.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN