Značaj obrazovanja iz perspektive Roma
Value of Education from the Perspective of the Romany People

Summary/Abstract: I have been conducting a qualitative research for over two years studying what is the value attributed by the Romany people to education. In the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, Romany people live a sedentary way of life and intercultural relationships are established and exchanges occur at various levels. Although the two (or three) cultures sharing the same space know each other, there is also a number of misunderstandings. On the "political" level the Romany people have the right to use their language but Romany language is the mother tongue only for a small number of Romany people. In the researched community, different respondents expressed different opinions on what attitude should be taken towards the Romany language. In the area of education, the major identified issue was the fact that approximately 70% of Romany children attend elementary practical schools instead of the standard elementary schools. After leaving these schools they have very limited opportunities in terms of their choice of secondary education. Children are transferred to elementary practical schools mainly due to the lack of experience on part of their parents who do not understand what are the requirements placed by standard elementary schools on the pupils’ home preparation for the lessons. The original Romany culture is oral with not reading tradition. It is not surprising that for the members of the Romany community education may become something that is very difficult to integrate into their set of values.

• Details
• Contents