The experiences and difficulties of Roma students in schools are similar to those of immigrant children and youth, particularly in terms of discrimination, a national study of the school trajectories of Roma students in secondary school shows.
The results are presented in the book “Gypsies/Gypsies and Education, Participatory Research and Knowledge Co-Production Practices”, which was launched on Friday in Lisbon and is the result of a research project (EduCig – School Performances Among Gypsies: An Action Research and Participatory Project) which aims to was to understand the school trajectories of Roma students in secondary school.
The investigation was carried out in 2021 and included interviews with Roma students, as well as fieldwork with Roma students and facilitators who traveled to schools in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto to participate in workshops and share their experiences.
Luse, the research coordinator, explained that in these moments the goal was “to work with students on topics related to multiculturalism, intercultural dialogue, respect for others.”
Manuela Mendez noted that although the differences can be very varied, the interest of the investigation lay in cultural, racial and ethnic differences.
“And although there were not among the public, and this happened in some schools, Roma children and youth, young people of other origins, for example, people from Africa, young Brazilians, young Chinese, identified themselves to a large extent, with evidence that young people [ciganos] introduced those who accompanied us,” said the sociologist.
According to Manuela Mendes, this occurred both in relation to the positive aspects of the experience of Roma students and in relation to “aspects related to discrimination in the school context”, citing as an example the cases of students who “only later” revealed that they were Roma. “when they felt comfortable enough to do so.”
“A lot of [alunos estrangeiros] were also identified with the difficulties, problems, feelings that these young people [ciganos] portrayed,” he said, noting that, therefore, some of the recommendations made in the study are cross-cutting and will benefit other audiences who experience the same difficulties and do not have equal access to school.
On the other hand, he argued that many of the young Roma people involved in the investigation, some of whom are activists and are “publicly vocal about their ethnic and cultural identities”, could serve as role models for other young people.
Manuela Mendes stressed that public schools are becoming increasingly diverse, so it is important to include not only young people, but also families and representatives of the Roma people in the definition of programs and policy projects.
The recommendation, according to the researcher, should not be limited only to the field of education.
“It is very important to ensure greater participation, greater involvement, to find mechanisms of close coordination in which these people participate, because deep down they are the object of these measures, but often do not have an active voice,” he emphasized.
These and other findings from the study, as well as its recommendations, will be presented on Friday at the Iscte (University Institute of Lisbon).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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