Together Against School Segregation – Solutions for Schools and Educational Policy

On 19 April 2023, the European Commission filed a lawsuit against the Slovak Republic for long-term systemic failure to eliminate the segregation of Roma children in education. This step confirms that the segregation of Roma pupils is not only a national issue, but also a violation of the principles of equal opportunities and Slovakia’s obligations arising from EU law. Despite partial measures taken by the Ministry of Education, segregation persists and is taking on new forms as a result of residential separation, organisational decisions by schools, and the structural separation of pupils. The problem is further deepened by the lack of systematic methodological support for schools and the absence of the voices of people with direct experience from Roma communities in the design of solutions.

The organisation eduRoma has been active in this field for a long time. Since 2015, it has been preparing school inspectors to systematically monitor segregation and, for more than 15 years, it has cooperated with schools, local governments, and expert institutions. These experiences enable the organisation to develop practical tools for inclusive education.

The project therefore responds to the need to connect practical experience with systemic measures. Its objective is to develop a desegregation methodology that will provide schools, founders, and professional staff with concrete procedures and tools for implementing inclusive measures. The methodology will reflect current challenges and will be designed as a living document that can be further developed. At the same time, the project strengthens the competences of teachers and education professionals in planning and monitoring inclusive education and supports cooperation between schools and experts. At the national level, it connects field experience with policy reflection and brings proposals for systemic changes.

The project focuses on supporting desegregation in education through activities at regional, civil society, and national levels:

1. At the regional level, it strengthens the capacities of schools, teachers, principals, and education staff through training sessions and practical workshops. Activities focus on desegregation methods, inclusive strategies, and practical approaches for working in diverse classrooms. They include sharing good practice examples, fostering collaboration between schools, and creating a network of schools actively opposing segregation. The project also identifies discriminatory mechanisms in school environments and develops concrete recommendations to address them. Feedback from teachers and practitioners is collected and incorporated to refine methodological materials and create a practical desegregation handbook. The result is a methodology for educational staff providing concrete tools for implementing inclusive practices.
2. At the civil society level, the project facilitates collaboration with Roma and pro-Roma experts to develop an action plan for desegregation. This ensures that field experience informs systemic solutions and strengthens Roma participation in shaping education policies. The action plan offers recommendations for policymakers and concrete measures to promote inclusive education.
3. At the national level, the project transfers knowledge to the education management system through training for state methodologists and experts. Activities focus on using the methodology to identify discriminatory mechanisms and implement preventive measures. The project also presents and distributes the desegregation action plan to national institutions and policymakers, integrating expert recommendations into strategic and legislative documents.

The main output will be a desegregation methodology, a practical and open professional resource providing concrete procedures for addressing segregation that are transferable and applicable across various regional contexts. It will include a network of trained teachers and educational staff who will participate in training sessions and further disseminate the acquired knowledge within their institutions, creating a community that supports ongoing development and the sharing of experience.

The project will also produce an Action Desegregation Policy Plan with specific recommendations for the Ministry of Education, regional school authorities, and school founders, which can serve as a basis for strategic documents, methodological guidance, and local plans. At the regional level, the project will support the creation or updating of internal regulations, action plans, and strategies of schools and local authorities aimed at inclusive education and the elimination of segregation.

The project’s impacts will include reducing segregation of Roma students, improving the quality and inclusiveness of education, strengthening the capacities of schools and professional staff in implementing inclusive approaches, and ensuring sustainability through the professional community and network of partners.

Direct beneficiaries will include Roma and pro-Roma students, who will gain better access to quality education. Teachers and educational staff will acquire practical tools and recommendations for addressing segregation. Schools and founders will be able to implement methodological procedures in their internal plans and documents. Regional school authorities and the Ministry of Education will receive support in developing policies and strategies focused on inclusion and equal opportunities, while local governments will benefit from the long-term development of inclusive educational practices at the community level.