59% of Roman have faced problems when trying to access school education: the results of the research

Ukraine continues discussing its post-war restoration, and this issue goes beyond the mere rebuilding of its infrastructure. Reconstruction should take place in all walks of life, without exception, and should involve all ethnic groups. One of the key aspects of this work is to ensure equal possibilities for the most marginalised groups, including the Roma community.

This is corroborated by the research presented by ARKA Youth Agency for Roma Culture Advocacy during the press conference at Interfax Ukraine news agency. Monitoring has shown what kind of difficulties does the Romani community face as its members try to receive education.  

Here is some specific statistical data:

– 47% of Romani families had to move due to the war. Most of them do not have proper access to state services, including education—and this complicates their adaptation to new conditions.

– 59% of Romanis have faced issues when trying to access school education due to the lack of equipment required for remote education. Almost 90% of Romani children have no possibility to properly study online—which exacerbates the already existing education gap.

– 43% of students and young people have faced discrimination, including instances of bullying and unequal treatment.

At the same time, most of Romani families who have been polled within the research do not have a gender-based discriminative or stereotypical attitude when it comes to sending their children to college. The important thing, however, is that even if they want to continue studying by going to a university after school, they lack the proper level of knowledge as their school education is insufficient for the successful passing of General National Exam (ZNO/NMT). They also face certain difficulties procedure-wise when it comes to submitting a set of documents. One should note that the tuition-based education is more accessible and does not require one to get high points; that said, not all parents have the financial means to pay for their children’s education.

«We often hear things like: «Romanis just do not want to study!» But that is just another stereotype with regard to an ethnic group. Despite the parents’ wish to provide education to their children, families still face obstacles. Now, though, we can change the situation for the better. Ukraine’s European integration, among other things, calls for the implementation of a number of measures to include ethnic groups in all social processes. The post-war restoration of our country is a turning point. I should note from the start that the Romani community does not require a special treatment; the only thing that is important is for the legislative norms to be respected and adhered to. The Romani community possesses expertise which may be used to secure the rights of ethnic minorities», – says Volodymyr Yakovenko, Director of ARСA Youth Agency for Roma Culture Advocacy.    

You can see the research here: monitoring results

Education for Romanis is but one realm of activity which calls for the state intervention. The inclusion of the Romani community is a complex issue. It is even more important considering the fact that one of the requirements for Ukraine’s accession to the EU is that the position of Romanis and other vulnerable categories of population be improved.

A detailed examination of the issue of Romani inclusion into the processes of Ukraine’s reconstruction shall take place within the framework of the Conference entitled «Restoration of Ukraine and Prospects of Civil Society for Ukrainian Romanis». The Conference shall take place in Kyiv on the 30th of October, 2024. It will become another important step in the promotion and reinforcement of the position of Romanis as an integral part of Ukrainian society.

As per unofficial statistics, there are approximately 400,000 Romanis living in Ukraine—way more than the 2001 Census data states. Ukrainian Romanis face plenty of challenges, including anti-Gypsyism, lack of documents and access to education—issues that have  exacerbated due to the war. Approximately 100,000 Roma became refugees; another 100,000 became Internally Displaced Persons (internal refugees). In this period, many Romani women took sole responsibility for their families, as their men went to the frontline. These issues call for an immediate solution which should be jointly developed by the Ukrainian authorities and our international partners, so that the situation does not exacerbate even further.

«The process of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union opens new possibilities for the adaptation of our legislative base and our country’s policy to the EU requirements. At the same time, issues faced by the Romani community have exacerbated as a result of Russia’s full scale invasion. Our principal priorities include fighting discrimination, enabling social integration, providing access to IDs, proper education, and accommodation. The European Commission has stressed how important it is to include Romanis in Ukraine’s post-war restoration efforts, as it insisted that our government, the European Commission, and EU member states are responsible for this», – says Nataliia Tomenko, Deputy Director of ARСA».   

Equal participation of Roma in political processes, including post-war restoration and accession to the EU, is crucial not only for the community itself but for the entire Ukraine. This kind of involvement showcases the democratic maturity and diversity of Ukraine and counters Russia-fuelled narratives with regard to Ukraine. During this Conference, participants are going to submit and discuss ways in which rights and needs of Romanis can be secured in the process of Ukraine’s restoration and its accession to the European union. The Conference will also stipulate the roles that are to be played by different stakeholders: the Ukrainian Government, the international community, and the Romani civil society.

You can watch the video of the press conference at Our YouTube channel