Maria José Casa-Nova

Discrimination against Roma population is reflected and amplified among children and adolescents that grow up in particularly fragile social conditions, and with a very wide range of unmet rights. Among them, the right to education is still a challenge for many countries in the EU. The data available reflect this reality, indicating low rates of enrolment in schools of all levels, high rates of ‘wastage’ and of early-leavers, and limited access to services and educational activities outside of school.

Low education levels, widespread illiteracy among Roma communities, together with racism in its various forms are the main obstacles, with an impact on access to the job market, the use of services and active participation in public life. But the quality and quantity of Roma school attendance and performance are often influenced by the educational strategies and teaching models implemented in schools and by school organizations: whether adopted deliberately or not, models and strategies and organization showed how they can either promote or discourage success and inclusion of Roma children in school.