Roma Education Topic and Bulgarian Media
July 15-September 8, 2011
Roma Education Topic and Bulgarian Media
July 15-September 8, 2011
The conference “Development of Roma Education in Bulgaria – Updated Strategy of the Roma Education Fund” took place in Sofia on July 14, 2011. Several online media and two national dailies reported on the event and cited the guests from REF. In the period July 15-September 8, however, four media outlets, of which three were regional, mentioned the Fund directly. The remaining material was about the fact that the Audit Office found the work of the “Center of Educational Integration of Children and Young People from the Minorities” ineffective. This center received just one project from an external donor, the Roma Education Fund.
In the period of the current short analysis, however, there were also two other topics related to Roma education in Bulgaria, although not directly connected to REF. The first is that the government of Bulgaria is going to provide BGN 240,000 from the state budget to be spent on a project to help Roma children to study medicine. This comes out of a governmental plan for implementing the health strategy till 2015 for disadvantaged persons belonging to ethnic minorities. In addition, BGN 50,000 will be allocated as scholarships for young Roma accepted to study medicine in universities. The state will give about BGN one million per year for campaigns for prevention and healthcare awareness among minorities.
The second topic about Roma education in Bulgaria is that in the small Bulgarian village of Dolni Tsibar, close to the city of Lom, the majority of Roma children go to school and even university, they benefit from scholarships, and don’t get married too early with large families. Their houses look neat and clean and people living there adore their school which they even call “the heart of the village” Nonetheless, the problems of the Roma inhabitants persist, mainly related to the difficulty of finding a job. One consequence is that a large number of educated immigrants decide to leave but when they go to the cities in search of jobs they usually are discriminated against because of their ethnic origins.
Lately, media materials about Roma are mainly concentrated on the upcoming mayoral and presidential elections that will take place this autumn in Bulgaria. Roma are mentioned for their participation in vote selling – also indirectly connected to education.
Intelday solutions Media Agency, Sofia Bulgaria
Background – REF presents its updated Country strategy on Bulgaria
THE ROMA EDUCATION FUND PRESENTS ITS NEW STRATEGY ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ROMA IN BULGARIA
Roma desegregation cannot be just NGOs and donors issue. Joint efforts and concern from the part of the State and municipalities are required
Sofia, 14th July 2011, the Roma Education Fund – Budapest presented its new strategy on educational programs concerning the Roma population in Bulgaria.
The document is part of a series of evaluation country reports based on the activity of the organization in those countries and seeks to analyze the education of Roma and the current educational reforms in terms of integration of Roma children.
The discussion was opened by Mr. Costel Berkus – Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roma Education Fund and Mrs. Beata Olahova – Grant Program Manager.
Mr. Berkus stated that the steps for a better and qualitative education for Roma children would have a direct impact on the economical development of the country. He also pointed out that desegregation isn’t just a physical issue. It is taking place when Roma children receive an adequate and good education and can contribute to the society.
Mr. Berkus and Mrs. Olahova also pointed out, that pre-school education for Roma children is being of the priority areas on the new strategy plan of the Fund for Bulgaria. They stated that the document is supporting the state policy measures of obligatory pre-school preparation at the age of 5 and encourages measures towards all parties involved – pupils, parents and teachers.
Mrs. Olahova said that Roma integration and desegregation can no longer be just NGOs and donors issue, but should become State and municipal priority as well. Institution’s involvement is crucial to ensure sustainable policy and development towards all achievements of the civic sector so far.
According to Mr. Milen Milanov, representative of “Diverse and Equal” NGO in Bulgaria, there is a need for different approach for Roma education in city regions and in rural areas. The latter needs special focus of attention for improvement of the overall quality of education, he added. Mr. Milanov also stressed the central role of the parents in the success of desegregational educational initiatives.
Mrs. Daniela Mihaylova from “Equal Opportunities” NGO, highlighted the problems in the preparation, strategy and implementation of educational policies for Roma in accessing pre-school groups in urban areas.
The future strategic directions of REF’s activities in Bulgaria include desegregation, improving intercultural education, investment in pre-school education, supporting initiatives that help prepare children and students for the next, higher educational level and investment in young professionals, in particular teachers and pedagogy staff.
The Roma Education Fund (REF) was created in the framework of the Decade of Roma Inclusion in 2005. Its mission and ultimate goal is to close the gap in educational results between Roma and non-Roma. In order to achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs which ensure quality education for Roma, including the desegregation of education systems.
