Analysis of the work of Roma assistants in kindergartens and primary schools

One of the objectives of the Ministry of Education is to increase the proportion of Roma children enrolled in preschool education programs, ensure more active participation of Roma children in the
the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and increase the proportion of Roma pupils who successfully complete primary school.1 Among other things, a measure to systematize the position of Roma assistant was adopted to achieve these goals. The employment of Roma assistants in primary schools began began on September 1, 2021. Following the systematization of the position of Roma assistant, the ministry is interested in the effects of employing Roma assistants.

To this end, as part of the professional development task Analysis of the work of Roma assistants in kindergartens and in primary schools, we conducted a survey on the effects of employing Roma assistants. As part of the survey, we conducted questionnaires with kindergarten principals, primary school principals, and principals of primary schools with adapted programs (OŠPP) that employ Roma assistants, as well as surveys of Roma assistants employed in kindergartens and primary schools. We also sent a shorter questionnaire to principals of elementary schools that have Roma students but do not employ Roma assistants, even though they met the conditions for doing so or had too few Roma students enrolled to meet the conditions.