Lifelong Learning and the Roma Minority in Western and Southern Europe

The achievement and success of Roma people in education is at a breaking point across Europe, severely limiting social mobility. Recent research has shown that Roma are the most underrepresented group in schools and other educational institutions. There are an array of policy measures and initiatives across Western and Southern Europe seeking to reverse this and to raise educational access and attainment of the Roma population. This book offers an in-depth exploration into the current educational climate and the impact of these policy measures for Roma people in seven Western and Southern European countries: Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. This book seeks to raise awareness of this forgotten minority and to assess the policies implemented to integrate the Roma people into the education system. Written by experts across Western and Southern Europe and drawing on varied cultural perspectives, this work will help to address the severe lack of information and knowledge about the Roma people available in the public domain. This book will prove invaluable to those in the field of comparative education, educational leaders and practitioners in Western and Southern Europe and beyond. Lifelong Learning and the Roma Minority in Western and Southern Europe Contents List of Figures and Tables Figures Tables About the Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction: Lifelong Learning and the Roma Minority in Western and Southern Europe Roma: A ‘Hidden Minority’ The Roma Minority in Selected Western and Southern European Countries Disadvantages and Multiple Deprivations ‘Dawn of Learning’ for Roma in Europe The Structure of the Book References Chapter 1: Bottom Up, Top Down and Human Rights: Roma Organisations, Policy Frameworks and European Institutions Roma Self-organisation and Positions of European Institutions After 1945 Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005–2015): Aspiration and Reality Roma Education Fund: Purpose and Impact National Strategy for Roma Inclusion to 2020 and Changing Narratives Conclusion References Chapter 2: Dawn of Learning! Sinti and Roma in Germany The Roma Minority in Germany About Statistics and Legal Status of Sinti and Roma in Germany Social Situation and the Sustained Influence of Antiziganism Self-Designations, Culture and Language/s Sinti and Roma in the Education System in Germany Educational Attainment of the Sinti and Roma in German Education System Policies and Support Programmes for Roma Education – Call for a Dawn of Learning! Successful Practical Examples from the Perspective of Roma in Germany References Chapter 3: Lifelong Learning for Roma in European Countries: The Greek Case The Roma in Greece: An Introduction Number, Groups, Names and Legal Status Social Situation of the Roma in Greece Culture and Language/s Roma in the Greek Education System Theoretical Perspectives Framing Roma’s Education in Greece Exclusionary Practices against Roma Students Data Concerning Roma Students’ School Registration in Greece Policies and Supportive Educational Programs Addressing and/or Involving Roma Education The Programme ‘Education of Roma Children’ [Εκπαίδευση των παιδιών Ρομά] Zones of Educational Priority (ZEP): Reception and Tutorial Classes and Other Supportive Tutorials Provision of Specialised Support to Socially Vulnerable Groups from Psychologists and Social Workers at School The Special Secretariat for Roma Inclusion Examples of Roma’s Educational Success in Greece References Chapter 4: The Education of Roma, Sinti and Caminanti Children in Italy: Pathways to School Inclusion Introduction The Hidden Minority Roma Sinti Caminanti Excluded to be Included: The Social Situation Housing and Health Conditions Situation of Children and Youth Work Situation Culture and Language The Education of the RSC Children Access to the Education System Rights and Policies to Support Education Programmes to Promote Social Inclusion and Education of Children European Projects Projects Supported by Municipalities Conclusions References Chapter 5: The Educational Situation for Roma in Norway The Roma Minority in Norway Groups, Numbers and Legal Status Social Situation of the Roma Minority Culture and Language Roma in the Education System in Norway The Norwegian Education System Educational Attainment of the Roma in Norway Elementary School and Lower Secondary School Upper Secondary School College and University Adult Education Explanations on the Low Educational Attainment of Roma in Norway Policies and Support Programmes for Roma Education The Project ‘Educational Situation for Roma Pupils in Norway: Silenced Narratives on Schooling and Future’ Concluding Remarks References Chapter 6: The Roma Population in Portugal: A Changing Picture Introduction The Roma Communities in Portugal Roma Numbers and Distribution Picture(s) of the Roma Population of Portugal: Social Situation Culture and Language/s Roma in the Education System in Portugal Educational Attainment of the Roma in Portugal Policies and Support Programs for Roma Education Education: The Key to the Social Integration of Roma Communities – The OPRE, RESCUR and Dreams Teens Programs The OPRE Program. The RESCUR Program. The Dream Teens Project. Final Considerations References Chapter 7: Moving Towards Roma Inclusion in Spain Through Successful Educational Actions The Roma Minority in Spain Number, Groups, Names and Legal Status of the RomaPeople in Spain Culture and Language Social Situation Health Employment Housing Roma in the Education System The Spanish Education System Educational Attainment of the Roma Successful Policies and Support Programmes for Roma Education The Social and Educational Inclusion of Roma People Through SEAs The SEAs Approach Interactive Groups. Dialogic Reading. Extending Learning Time. Family Education. Educational Community Participation. Dialogical Model of Conflict Resolution. ‘Schools as Learning Communities’: The Case of the ‘Mediterrani’ School (Tarragona, Catalonia) Conclusions References Chapter 8: Roma in the Educational System of Sweden: Achievements after Year 2000 and Challenges for the Future The Roma Minority in Sweden The Heterogeneity of the Roma Population in Sweden Still Marginalised in the Society The Strategy for Roma Inclusion 2012–2032 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Roma in the Swedish Education System The Swedish Education System Educational Attainment of the Roma The Closing Down of the Only Bilingual Roma Class Roma in Higher Education The Södertörn Model The First Mediator Programme 2012–2015 Concluding Remarks References Conclusion: Participation and Success of European Roma in Education and Lifelong Learning: Common Challenge, Similar Solutions and Hitherto Unsatisfactory Results A Common Challenge: To Change the Disadvantaged Situation of the Roma Minority in Europe in Education and Elsewhere Similar Solutions: European Policy Strategies and Measures for Roma Inclusion Hitherto Unsatisfactory Results: Continuing Segregation of Roma in Education Summary References Index Introduction: Lifelong Learning and the Roma Minority in Western and Southern Europe; Katalin R. Forray and Andrea Óhidy Chapter 1. Bottom Up, Top Down and Human Rights -- Roma Organizations, Policy Frameworks and European Institutions; Natascha Hofmann Chapter 2. Dawn of Learning! Sinti and Roma in Germany; Natascha Hofmann Chapter 3. Lifelong Learning for Roma in European Countries: The Greek Case; Panagiota Gkofa Chapter 4. The Education of Roma, Sinti and Caminanti Children in Italy: Pathways to School Inclusion; Valeria Cavioni Chapter 5. The Educational Situation for Roma in Norway; Kari Hagatun Chapter 6. The Roma Population in Portugal -- A Changing Picture; Pedro Calado, Liliana Moreira, Sónia Costa, Celeste Simões, Margarida Gaspar de Matos Chapter 7. Moving Towards Roma Inclusion in Spain Through Successful Educational Actions; Fernando Macías-Aranda, Teresa Sordé-Martí, Jelen Amador-López and Adriana Aubert-Simó Chapter 8. Roma in the Educational System of Sweden -- Achievements After Year 2000 and Challenges for the Future; Christina Rodell Olgaç Conclusion: Participation and Success of European Roma in Education and Lifelong Learning: Common Challenge, Similar Solutions and Hitherto Unsatisfactory Results; Andrea Óhidy