Segregation in education

Education is a leveler and can provide the keys to the door of equality for minorities, especially Roma

Photo: S. Colebourne (CC BY-ND 2.0 deed))

"Roma: Segregation in Education" is not just the name of this article or the theme of my dissertation, but a reality for many Roma children throughout Czechia and Europe. This reality has been a driving factor in wanting to conduct this research and hopefully it can contribute to the growing Roma Rights movement and broader coverage Roma issues. 

Why Roma?

The Roma are an often forgotten minority in Europe and are at the brunt of prevalent discrimination in many walks of public life. Czechia, as well as other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have a less than appetising record when defending the rights of Europe's largest ethnic minority, contributing to Amnesty describing Roma as one of the most deprived and marginalised on the continent.

D.H depicted in great detail just one area where Roma are denied equality - education.  Education is a leveler and can provide the keys to the door of equality for minorities, especially Roma. Being deprived of equal treatment within the school system is something that prevents real progress within the Roma community, maintains a cycle of discrimination and perpetuates many ingrained stereotypes. Teaching Roma children and non-Roma children in the same classroom will also, hopefully, raise a new generation that does not prejudge someone on the basis of skin colour. This is why education is a key battleground in the Roma Rights movement - it secures futures. 

Research focus

My research will focus on the Czech education system and the placement of Roma children in "special schools", designed for mildly "mentally handicapped students", for what seems to be socio-economic reasons. The Czech practice was held to be a breach of Art. 2 of Protocal 1 (right to an education), in conjuction with Art. 14 (prohibition of discrimination), of the European Convention on Human Rights by a landmark decision in the European Court of Human Rights ten years ago - D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic (D.H). 

After years of monitoring, activism and lobbying of government, the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) strategically litigated, on behalf of 18 current and former Roma pupils who were denied entry to mainstream primary schools.  The eight year legal battle culminated in the Grand Chamber ruling in favour of the 'DH 18' and instructed the Czech government to overhaul the entire education system to prevent further discrimination of Roma students. 

With such an important ruling, it is equally as vital to assess the post-judgment impact in Czech legal, political and social spheres. What good does such a powerful ruling have if the offending country does not implement any change? Equally, what does it say about that country if such an authoritative judgment is not honured even even ten years later? 

Taking a watchdog role, I hope to analyse whether there has been any progress ten years after the ECtHR's ruling and whether segregation in education persists. Hopefully, I can interview individuals who were involved with the D.H litigation and are monitoring its implementation, and it is my intention to also some field research during my Erasmus study year. A picture should emerge about the whether the ruling of the ECtHR has been taken seriously.

Keep an eye out for more posts.