Romanian School Officials Refuse Enrolment of Romani Children

11 March 2005

On November 5, 2004, the Romanian Romani organization Asociatia "Thumende" Valea Jiului (Thumende) reported that two 4-year-old Romani children were denied entrance to Bucharest's Kindergarten No. 269 on October 14. The director of the kindergarten, Ms Victoria Gavniuc, reportedly stated, "If these kids are Romani, I have to tell you that I spoke with the Inspector of Kindergartens and we do not want problems […] it is better for these children to go [to] Kindergarten No. 34 because that is where children with special needs go." Thumende reported that the two children did not have special needs. Following interventions by Mr Cristian Jura, State Secretary at the Department of Interethnic Relations and State Sub-secretary Ilie Dinca, the Inspector of Kindergartens allowed the Romani children to attend Kindergarten No. 269 and apologised for the incident.

(Thumende)