Tag Archives: Education

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.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

Published by:

Education in Moldova

A meeting organized by the Ministry of Education and Research focused on developing services for Roma communities through community mediators, involving various stakeholders.

Discussions included improving educational access for Roma children and youth, preventing school absenteeism, and enhancing access to health and social services.

The new regulation defines the role of community mediators and aims to strengthen cooperation between mediators and public institutions to support Roma communities in Moldova.

News Eastern Europe Romania

High School in Romania

Published by:

High School in Romania

The admission process for high schools in Constanța for 2026 shows significant differences in average grades between general placements and special placements for Roma candidates and students with special educational needs (SEN).

Some of the most sought-after high schools admitted Roma candidates with averages below 6, with the lowest being 5.12 at Liceul Ovidius, while the lowest national evaluation scores were much higher.

A total of 17 candidates from these special categories were not placed, with the lowest average for Roma candidates being 1.90 and for SEN candidates being 1.35, indicating challenges in accessing education for these vulnerable groups.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Orban and Roma

Published by:

Orban and Roma

When Viktor Orbán’s returned to power in 2010, laws were changed to allow and promote the segregation of Roma students in Hungary, reversing previous integration efforts.

The Chance For Children Foundation (CFCF) successfully challenged school segregation through legal means prior to 2010, resulting in the integration of approximately 3,000 Roma students. The current situation shows a significant increase in Roma students attending segregated schools, with estimates suggesting that two-thirds are now in such institutions, compared to one-third before Orbán’s regime.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romanian High School Admissions

Published by:

Romanian High School Admissions

The Bucharest School Inspectorate published the official lists for high school admissions in 2026, revealing that over 900 candidates, including many Roma and students with special educational needs, were left without placements despite high admission averages.

Only 617 out of 1,346 Roma candidates were placed, and 186 out of 737 candidates with special educational needs also remained unplaced, highlighting a significant shortfall in available special placements.

Students who were not placed must act quickly to fill out their options for the general computerized placement, ensuring they list a sufficient number of schools to increase their chances of admission.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Success Story

Published by:

Success Story

Olimpia, a young Romni from a modest background, has successfully passed her Bacalaureat exam and aims to enroll in the Medical Faculty in Cluj-Napoca, showcasing that ambition and hard work can overcome obstacles.

Supported by the Roma Party Pro Europa, she serves as an inspiration for other Roma students to pursue higher education despite challenges such as school dropout rates and limited opportunities. Her story emphasizes that educational success is achievable regardless of one’s background, and it can serve as a powerful motivator for others in disadvantaged communities.

The fact they chose a pricture that looks more like a police view of criminals with hidden faces says a lot about the fear of Roma to out themselves in Romania.

News Eastern Europe Romania

High School Allocations

Published by:

High School Allocations

In Iași County, Romania, the admission process for high schools in 2026 includes 354 distinct places, with 205 allocated for Roma students and 149 for candidates with special educational needs (SEN).

The options for enrollment must be completed on July 13 and 14, 2026, with the allocation of students occurring on July 16, 2026, through a computerized system.

Roma students need a written recommendation confirming their ethnicity to participate, while SEN candidates must submit a certificate from the County Center for Resources and Educational Assistance

Now the question is, who certifies the Romani ethnicity? This is a dangerous path.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education In Moldova

Published by:

Education In Moldova

A consultative meeting organized by the Ministry of Education in Soroca focused on improving access to education for Roma children and preventing school dropout.

The meeting included local authorities, educational institutions, community mediators, civil society organizations, and parents, discussing affirmative measures to support Roma students. The importance of early education and collaboration between authorities, schools, and the Roma community was emphasized to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Proposed measures include reserving 10% of places in first and tenth grades for Roma children, admission facilities for vocational and higher education, merit scholarships, and increased social scholarships for vulnerable families.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

Published by:

Education in Slovenia

Eleven Roma students from the Kher šu beši Day Center visited the mayor of Trebnje, Mateja Povhe, after regularly attending school and center activities. The mayor emphasized the importance of education for achieving their dreams and encouraged the children to continue attending school for better opportunities.

The municipality of Trebnje is actively promoting the inclusion of Roma children in education, recognizing it as essential for their personal development and successful integration into society.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

Published by:

Education in Slovenia

Borut Rončević, a sociology professor at the university of Novo Mesto and current minister of Eudcation in the Slovenian government, speaks about his plans and views. Specifically about Roma, he says there is a need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Roma children in schools, emphasizing collaboration across various sectors including education, social policy, and local communities. He highlights the importance of accountability among parents, teachers, and the state in ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, achieve basic educational standards. He insists on the equal application of laws for school attendance, something that is being reproached to Roma regularly.

What he did not discuss is the profound issues of exclusion and racism faced by Roma in the region.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN