| SUMMARY: |
Some years ago, when in Romania, I was asked for help by a charity
representing Roma families. The families told me that their children attended
school but apparently learned nothing. At this time many of the traditional
occupations of Roma families such as skilled craft work and agricultural
labouring had disappeared as such occupations had been taken over by
factory made products or agricultural machines. This meant that it was
essential for their children to be able to read and write in order to obtain
employment after they had left school. School directors and teachers also
told me that Roma children were attending school in increasing numbers but
they seemed unable to teach them successfully. They also asked me for help.
Although I am experienced teacher who had already carried out projects in
different Romanian schools, I had no ready solutions for the families or the
schools, even following visits to different villages and schools, including
those that had participated in European Union funded projects for improving
education for Roma. I also talked to other experts involved with Roma
education, read reports and research literature which also covered other
countries; however, I was unable to discover any ready solutions that proved
to be successful over the long term. |
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