The success of Roma students depends on parental support and teacher sensitivity
Kids in DomeËek. Photo by Alice Tejkalová.
Prague 2007: Common Ground
There is a debate in the Czech Republic about whether the school system discriminates against Roma children. Charges of Roma kids being arbitrarily placed in special schools for the “mentally retarded” are countered with suggestions that Roma parents are not doing their part to make sure their children get a good education. In truth, more Roma children can be found in practical and special elementary schools than in regular elementary schools.
In the Czech Republic every child must have nine years of primary education before moving on to higher education. It is a punishable crime for parents not to send their children to school. When a child starts having trouble learning and gets a few Fs on his report card, he might be placed in a practical or special elementary school, depending on the level of his learning disability. Special schools are for kids who usually have developmental disabilities. Practical schools are for those who are just behind their classmates in the regular elementary schools.
Recent Comments