On the seventh anniversary of the decision D. H. and others v. the Czech Republic, in which the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the automatic placement of Roma children in schools for mentally disabled students was discriminatory, six NGOs have issued a public statement that the practice still exists.

The six organizations, including Amnesty International, European Roma Rights Centre, The League of Human Rights, IQ Roma Service and Life Together, warn that perhaps one third of students in "practical schools" (formerly called "special schools") are Roma, a grossly disproportionate amount.

Separated in mainstream schools

According to the NGOs, Roma children are educated separately from their peers in mainstream schools, too. "In many towns and cities there are schools or classes known as 'Roma,' a few hundred meters from the next school, which is mainly attended by the pupils from the majority," the organizations wrote.

Minister of Education Marcel Chládek, in a statement for ČTK (Czech Press Agency), said that his office continuously supports the education of Roma children. Grant programs aim to support funding of teacher assistants in classrooms with students with disabilities and social disadvantages, the integration of the Roma community and support of socially disadvantaged Roma students at secondary schools and colleges.

The minister also considers it important that preparatory classes or places in kindergartens are available for all children, and he wants to enforce a compulsory final year of early childhood education.

A good amendment?

The education ministry expects an amendment to the Education Act, which establishes a system of supportive measures graded according to individual needs, to create a better approach toward all children with special educational needs. Yet some experts warn that the vague wording of one of the sections could lead to children without intellectual disability could again be put into practical schools. The ministry has rejected this interpretation.

The European Commission has also dealt with this topic. In September, the EC formally complained to the Czech Republic about the situation in its schools, and issued an information request regarding the alleged discrimination of Roma children. NGOs have now pointed out that this step could mark the start of infringement proceedings, which could conclude with sanctions against the country. Regarding the European Commission's complaint, the ministry has excused itself by saying that the current law was made by the former government.