Experiences and viewpoints of families in the educational integration process of Roma children: The example of Romania and Turkey
Experiences and viewpoints of families in the educational integration process of Roma children: The example of Romania and Turkey

Summary/Abstract: In this study, we analyze the hardships and absenteeism levels of Roma children during their educational lives. Based on this analysis, we would like to find out the current integration problems and the factors with a more intensely negative impact. Each phenomenon that plays a key role in this process has been analyzed, and its favorable and unfavorable effects have been assessed. By examining the research results, the aim is to highlight unresolved issues that require further attention and possible solutions to advance children’s educational experiences. Roma children face numerous problems in daily life and in the process of integration into education, such as having to struggle with discrimination, feeling alienated due to cultural incompatibilities, and having difficulties in accessing the education system due to unemployment or the limited income levels of Roma families. Field research in six Turkish provinces (Erzurum, Samsun, Konya, İstanbul Ataşehir, İzmir Bergama, and Hatay) revealed that most Roma children are unable to attend school owing to financial constraints and prefer to work to assist their families (Ertan, 2011: 65). According to the FRA report (2021: 16), an analysis of the school absenteeism of Roma children in European countries indicates that 70 percent of them still drop out of school at a very early age. In this study, comprehensive field research was conducted by interviewing 20 parents in Timişoara, Romania, and 20 parents in Adana and Izmir, Turkey, to examine the subject in greater depth.

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