Romi’s father enrolled all his children in school closest to the hostel where his family lives. The school told him that it is now an “elementary school” – and not a “special school” anymore. He is concerned that “the school does not do the children any good. They learn from each other, there is no diversity, the school is mostly Roma.” Romi finished the fifth grade following a practical curriculum in June 2012. He and his two other siblings were tested for mental disabilities in a diagnostic centre (Pedagogical - Psychological Centre). The assessment concluded that they are lagging behind. as a result, they all were placed in practical classes.
Kevin attends the fifth grade. His school used to be former special school, now officially a mainstream elementary school. His father says the school has a reputation for educating pupils who are “weaker” and have difficulties at school.
In the school year 2010/2011, none of the 30 children leaving the school were accepted by a secondary grammar school (“gymnázium”) that could lead to further university studies; 11 pupils were accepted to vocational training leading to a secondary school diploma and seven to other secondary schools. out of the 30 graduates, 18 finished elementary school at a level lower than in the ninth grade.
Anička has changed school twice. She started at a mainstream class. In the fourth grade, her family had moved to another town, Uherské Hradiště, where she was enrolled in the same grade of a local mainstream school.