Rromani education issues in the Czech Republic

This article comes to us from the Roma Virtual Network.

In our opinion, this is a continuation of words by the Czech government. When we see some action on the part of the government in response to their disregard for the basic human rights of the Roma, then we will be excited.

PM: Education is key to better social situation of Roma

ČTK |

13 October 2011

Prague, Oct 12 (CTK) - Full inclusion of Czech Romani children into education activities is a key point on the road towards an improvement of the social situation of the Roma in the country, Prime Minister Petr Necas told journalists after the cabinet Wednesday discussed a report on the state of the Romani population.

The Czech Republic has been criticised over a high portion of Romani children placed in special schools for pupils with slight mental disabilities.

Necas said the government wants to increase Romanies' chances of getting a job and present positive examples of inclusion of the Roma into majority society.

"There are positive examples, too, and they need to be pointed to," Necas said.

Necas said the cabinet dealt with the 2010 report on the Roma very thoroughly. The government report states that a big part of the Roma live in social exclusion and children's chances of a better life are small. It considers inclusive education of the Roma to be the best and economically most advantageous method of leading Romani families out of social exclusion and poverty.According to the report, the first half of 2010 was promising in this field, but all positive changes were stopped by the end of the year, even in spite of strong calls by Czech experts and important international institutions.

The report says there was no progress in Romanies' employment and that Romanies held only a marginal position in the labour market, citing the economic crisis and overall higher unemployment in the country among the causes.

The report deals with bad living and health conditions of Romanies.

It says Romanies live in cheap, low-quality housing facilities and that they are victims of discrimination and unfair practices by housing owners and real estate offices. Romanies often suffer from chronic diseases, they neglect prevention and have an unhealthy life style. They are also often the target of segregation.

Social problems such as unemployment, housing uncertainty and a low educational level concentrate in socially underprivileged Romany localities as a result of municipalities' directed policy or spontaneous migration, the report says.

Although the report only focuses on the events and phenomena of 2010, it discusses circumstances that may lead to tension between majority society and Romanies.

The Sluknov area, a rather poor and remote part of northern Bohemia near the borders with Germany and Poland, has been recently hit by unrest.

Repeated protests were held, with both locals and extremists participating, in reaction to cases of Romany violence and increased immigration of Romanies to the area. The government had to send a riot police unit to the area.