1. Roma and equal Access to Education Roma and equal Access to Education From segregation to integrated schooling Brussels, 28-29 April 2006 www.gitanos.org

2. Content 1.The Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG) 2.Spain’s Education System 3.Education and the Roma Community in Spain

3. The Fundación Secretariado Gitano  Non-profit inter-cultural social organisation  Mission: the social advancement of the Roma community based on respect for cultural identity.  Activity:  Provision of services to the Roma community  Training, counselling, awareness-heightening

4. The Fundación Secretariado Gitano  Direct beneficiaries of our actions (2005): 70,000  Work centres throughout Spain: 60

5. The Fundación Secretariado Gitano  Workers: over 728 (2005)

6. The Fundación Secretariado Gitano  International cooperation: 14 countries.

7. Spain´s Education System  Integrated schooling.  Education: two types of teaching:  General Education: basic voluntary and compulsory Education.  Specialised Education: Artistic Education, Language Education, Education leading to the Sport Technician Certificate.  Adult Education: basic education for adults and vocational training.

8. Characteristics of Educational System  Integrated schooling  Compulsory Education: free of charge  Grants to defray student expenses: meals, transport, books, school material.  University scholarships.  Specific compensatory programmes (temporary measures)  Teacher´s training  Programmes targeting NGOs and other organisations.

9. PRE-SCHOOL (INFANT EDUCATION) Ages: from 0 to 5 PRIMARY EDUCATION Ages: 6-11 COMPULSORY SECONDARY EDUCATION (E.S.O) Ages: 12- 16. BACHILLERATO Ages: 16-18 Academic years: 2 UNIVERSITY A.C.E.S* (Aulas de Compensación Educativa) Age: 15 Professional Initiation Programs Age: 16 * 2 academic years Intermediate Training Cycles Advanced Training Cycles EMPLOYMENT

10. The Roma Community in Spain  Sedentary  Approximately: 650,000  40% under the age of 16  45% reside in the south of Spain (Andalusia)  Heterogeneity and diversity  Identity based on a common origin and tradition, shared beliefs, values, philosophy of life and a yearning to be recognised as Roma  Fewer than 30 years: access to housing local plans  High percentage characterised by deficiencies in areas: education, housing, health care, fostering of their culture and identity.

11. Education and the Roma Community  Level of schooling of Roma Community below that of other social groups.  Illiteracy: higher in the case of women.  Repercussions: fail to take advantage of opportunities.  Enrolment of Roma children: fruit of efforts. They are reaching levels of education superior to those of their parents.  Small group going to finish high school and university (250 at university).

12. Education and the Roma Community  Difficulties:  Irregular attendance  Problems in conforming to certain routines at school.  Come to class without necessary school material.  Relations between families and schools are insufficient.  Absenteism at the age of 12-13, especially the girls.

13. Education and the Roma Community  Causes:  A large number of families fails to give the same importance to schooling.  Expectations: “Knowing how to read and write is quite enough”.  Educational is basically the responsibility of the family.  They feel that the school will fail to teach their children Roma values.  The school represents a cultural majority and a type of society that makes it difficult for ethnic minorities.

14. Education and the Roma Community  Degree of educational mainstreaming of the Roma population in Spain (Nation-wide study 2000-2001)

15. Education and the Roma Community  Educational status of Roma students at Compulsory Secondary Education 39.3 % 43.7 % 50 % 63.4 % 60.7 % 56.3 % 50 % 36.6 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 Number of students men 119 583115 women 77 453126 1st2nd3rd4th

16. Roma population and employment  A comparative study (FSG 2006)