Fundación Secretariado Gitano

Roma families get involved[editar]

Roma families get involved: development of a transnational methodology for working with Roma families to achieve their children’s success in education. A project that takes place with the support of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme.

METHODOLOGICAL GUIDE

The “Guide for working with Roma Families towards achieving the success of their children at school. A transnational methodological proposal for professionals”, developed in the context of the project, is available in English as well as in the languages of the countries taking part in the project (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Spain). The Guide aims to provide guidance for professionals working on the ground to involve Roma families in the educational processes of their children. It includes aspects such as the working phases, strategies, key messages, warnings, and examples of good practices and the profile and competences needed for professionals, among others.

Download English version (pdf 5.44 MB)
Download Bulgarian version (pdf 5.65 MB)
Download Hungarian version (pdf 5.73 MB)
Download Romanian version (pdf 5.72 MB)
Download Spanish version (pdf 4.72 MB)

Download the Flyer of the Roma Families Ge tInvolved Project

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF ROMA FAMILIES IN CHILDREN EDUCATION

Roma-related issues are higher than ever on the agenda, both at the EU and national levels. This current European political commitment, which is reflected in the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and the EU Strategy 2020, provide a valuable framework and specific targets to guide national strategies and action plans to promote Roma integration. Both strategies underline their determination to tackle the educational disadvantages among Roma as members of the larger EU population, prioritising the completion of at least primary education and the reduction of school failure levels to 10%.

The role of education in the economic opportunities of all EU citizens and in the overall cohesion and economic growth of the EU is clear. As Roma are, on average, a very young population that suffers from very low levels of qualification, they are often left out of mainstream economic life. Increasing the education levels of Roma children will mean in the medium and long term, not only promoting equal opportunities for them, but also preparing them to contribute to national and European economic growth.

The involvement of the family in the education of children has been found to be critical to educational success. Given the particularly important role of the family and the community in the Roma context, it is essential to sensitise Roma families regarding the consequences of early school leaving for their children in terms of their personal development as well as their social and economic integration for the future. There is not much tradition within the Roma families of the educational process and, in general terms, the socioeducational interventions undertaken in relation to Roma students are often mainly linked to the development of actions targeted to students. Therefore it is necessary to create role models, supporting those families who are best positioned to succeed, reinforcing their role within the community to face group pressure against a process, the academic success, which is not recognised in the community. It is be especially relevant to work with Roma families the permanence in the educational system of the Roma girls, who are most affected by the high early school leaving rates.

The project “Roma families get involved” aims to address these areas in which further work is still needed.