Roma Early Childhood Inclusion+ Czech Republic Report (2015)

Roma Early Childhood Inclusion+ Czech Republic Report (2015)

This report on the early childhood education and care (ECEC) of young Roma children in the Czech Republic departs somewhat in its approach from previous Roma Early Childhood Inclusion (RECI+) Studies and Reports. The preparation of this report was led by the Open Society Foundations. The RECI initiative, which is ongoing, is a joint venture of three Sponsoring Agencies, namely: the Open Society Foundations Early Childhood Program, the Roma Education Fund, and UNICEF.

The principle reasons for a Special Report on Roma Inclusion in Early Childhood Education and Care at this stage of events, and not a full RECI+ Research Study and Report, include: the critical importance of ECEC for all children, particularly those
from marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds;1 the pressing need for a timely contribution to the ongoing legislative actions and important national debates surrounding Roma education and inclusion in the Czech Republic; and to assist and support the government and public authorities, and educational decision makers and practitioners tasked with fulfilling their responsibilities in a context of critical international scrutiny.

Read the report in Czech here.

Roma Early Childhood Inclusion + Croatia Report (2015)

The Roma Early Childhood Inclusion (RECI)+ Croatia Report is intended to aid the authorities in ensuring the development of unhindered and equal access for Romani children to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The purpose of the research is to tackle the difficult situation of Romani children and to support the commitment of Romani NGOs and governments in improving their situation and moreover to spread the importance of early years in children’s lives as a key period for lifelong success. In Croatia, education and care services are decentralized to local governments and this leads to significant regional differences in the ECEC. It is fundamental to improve Romani children’s attainment and regular attendance in preschool and to guarantee a national standard of early childhood educational opportunities and quality preschool education for all children, including Roma. The second language acquisition effort of Romani children has to be supported and improved in order to avoid linguistic barriers issues in learning.

Read the report in Croatian here.