Steps to End Segregation in Education Briefing to the Government of Slovakia

Amnesty International has documented discrimination against and racial segregation of Romani children in education in Slovakia since 2006. Over the last five years Amnesty International has conducted its own in-depth research in various localities across Slovakia, as well as been monitoring the situation and developments through cooperation with non-governmental organizations working in several other localities.

In its 2007 report “Still Separate, Still Unequal: Violations of the right to education for Romani children in Slovakia”, Amnesty International provided an overview of the discrimination faced by Romani children in accessing and enjoying their right to education. The report highlighted segregation as one of the main obstacles, as large numbers of Romani children were being segregated in Roma-only schools and classes. Many Romani children were also being placed inappropriately in “special schools” for children with mental disabilities or special educational needs. Amnesty International documented that the criteria for placement of children in special schools were opaque and left significant scope for discrimination and segregation. Amnesty International called on the government to ensure the realization of the right to free and compulsory education for Romani children, prioritize the integration and attendance of Romani children in mainstream education and reverse segregation in education.

In 2008, Amnesty International published A tale of two schools: Segregating Roma in special education in Slovakia, which focused on the issue of segregation of Romani children in special education through the analysis of the case of Pavlovce nad Uhom, a village in eastern Slovakia. The report highlighted systemic failures, including lack of effective oversight, monitoring and accountability, as well as discriminatory policies and practices that systematically disadvantage Romani children.

In May 2008, the Slovak authorities adopted a new Schools Act that explicitly prohibits discrimination and segregation in the field of education.1 In the same year, the government adopted a Concept of Education and Training of Romani Children and Pupils, a policy document that includes a commitment to decrease the number of Romani pupils in special schools. Though these measures have resulted in some positive changes, Amnesty International’s research and monitoring indicate that there continues to be segregation of Romani children in education in Slovakia and that many of the key factors that contribute to discrimination and segregation have still not been adequately addressed.

To assess the impact of the legislative and policy changes, Amnesty International carried out research between February and May 2010 in six localities in western, central and eastern Slovakia, characterized by a presence of Romani communities. Amnesty International’s delegates visited eight schools and interviewed directors, teachers and teaching assistants, as well as members of Romani communities. The research involved interviews with representatives of the assessment centres; local government authorities; the regional school authorities; representatives of the Ministry of Education; the State School Inspectorate and the National Centre for Human Rights, as well as the Ombudsperson. Amnesty International delegates also interviewed an expert on child psychology, Roma activists and NGOs working in the fields of human rights and anti-discrimination.

The findings of Amnesty International’s research indicate serious gaps in the enforcement and monitoring of the prohibition of segregation in the Slovak educational system. Amnesty International is deeply concerned that Romani children across Slovakia remain segregated in inferior education that traps them in a cycle of poverty and marginalization.

The causes of the segregation of Romani children in the Slovak educational system are complex and include entrenched anti-Roma attitudes and historically established patterns of discrimination and exclusion. The new government’s recently stated commitment to eliminate segregated schooling of Roma, included in the coalition government’s programme adopted in August 2010, is a welcome development. To ensure that all Romani children are able to realize their right to education free from discrimination, however,* the Slovak government needs to urgently adopt strong and targeted measures to effectively monitor and enforce the prohibition of discrimination and segregation*. It also needs to follow through on its commitment to eliminate segregation in education by developing a plan of desegregation which clearly identifies bodies responsible and a timeline with yearly targets for its implementation. Any such plan has to include adequate support measures for integration of children in mainstream education, temporary special measures, training of staff and an outreach programme for Romani parents.