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A disproportionate number of Romani children attend practical schools and classes for pupils with “mild mental disabilities”, where they receive lower quality education. This very much diminishes their future educational and employment prospects. In some places Romani children make up more than 80 per cent of the student body of practical elementary schools. In fact, the government has acknowledged that the proportion of Romani children attending such schools is higher than what corresponds to a possible number of children with mental disabilities in any population.
New education legislation from 2005 only renamed the special schools to “practical elementary schools”. These schools are still intended for pupils with “mild mental disabilities”.
In most cases Romani children end up in practical schools only as a result of suggestion by their teachers who are either unable or unwilling to work with children who need special support and attention in education. Pushing these children away from mainstream education seems to be an easier option. Many end up in Roma-only schools, where the level of education is significantly lower than in schools attended by pupils from the majority population. Those who study with non-Romani children are often taught in separate classes or face discrimination and bullying in the classroom. Their rights are still violated at every step of the way.