On October 31st, a conference was held in Belgrade by Roma Education Fund Serbia to advocate for the implementation of REF’s Mentoring Program for Roma High School students at a national level. This program has achieved remarkable results over the past 15 years. During this period, the percentage of Roma pupils dropping out of high school education has been significantly reduced, from 7 to 2.4 percent.
Dr. Ciprian Necula, the president of the Roma Education Fund, Mr. Tomislav Žigmanov, the Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Ms. Slavica Đukić Dejanović, the Minister of Education, and Mr. Redjepali Chupi, the director of REF Serbia, delivered the opening speeches at the conference. Zdenka Milivojević’s “Recommendations for the Institutionalization of the Mentoring Support Program” was presented to the public.
Minister Tomislav Žigmanov highlighted that the transition from primary to secondary school is particularly challenging for all students, especially for those who are part of vulnerable groups. To address this issue, the Ministry is collaborating with REF to implement a national mentoring program that aims to reduce the educational gap between the Roma and non-Roma populations.
Minister of Education Slavica Đukić Dejanović emphasized that the implementation of affirmative measures has led to an increase in the inclusion of this population in the education system of Serbia.
At the final panel, moderated by Svetlana Stefanović, Executive Director of The Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society, Adi Sinani, Program Manager REF, Snežana Vuković – Head of the Department for Human and Minority Rights in Education, Vesna Radulović headmaster of the Management School in Novi Sad as well as Radmila Gošović, consultant from REF Serbia, presented further steps for introducing the mentoring program into the educational system.
The Mentoring Program to support Roma high school students is part of the project “Employment Empowerment of Young Roma – Phase II” implemented in the Republic of Serbia by Roma Education Fund with the support of the German Financial Cooperation Program implemented by the German Development Bank KfW on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Germany – Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The mentoring program started in 2007 and so far the program has included over 300 mentors and more than 2,500 young Roma have received support.
