ERRC Opposes Ethnic Boarding Schools in Slovakia

10 March 2010

Budapest: Today the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) sent a letter of concern to the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, condemning his 8 March 2010 statement that ethnic boarding schools are the sole solution to the lack of development in Romani communities in the country. In its letter, the ERRC recalled that discrimination against Romani school children is well documented and widespread across Europe, including Slovakia, and stressed that segregation of Romani children in special schools was held illegal by the European Court of Human Rights in the case D.H. and Others v. the Czech Republic.

Speaking on this issue, ERRC Managing Director Rob Kushen said: “Segregated education is not only illegal and immoral, but it will not lead to good educational outcomes. If Romani children are going to be integrated into society, that integration must start at the earliest stage, in kindergarten and primary education, without segregation and in inclusive environment.”

The ERRC called on the Slovak Government to adopt sustainable measures and reforms to the educational system that facilitate the integration of Romani children into mainstream schools and that promote inclusive education with quality outcomes for all children.

The full text of the letter is available HERE.

For further information, contact:

Rob Kushen,
ERRC Managing Director,
rob.kushen@errc.org

Stano Daniel,
ERRC Research Consultant,
stanko.daniel@errc.org