The Importance of Different Living Conditions of Sinti and Roma for Strategies to Improve the Educational Situation

The results of the RomnoKher study 2021 demonstrate the severe social disadvantage (income, education) of Sinti and Roma in Germany. This is a result of the combined effects of the negative impacts of the social situation of the parent generations on the educational and career prospects of their children with historical and current discrimination. Discrimination in the past has led to massive disadvantages, which result in poor educational opportunities regardless of the extent of current discrimination. Therefore, comprehensive labor market, social, and educational policy measures are needed to effectively contribute to improving the situation of Sinti and Roma. In the field of education, a comprehensive and proactive strategy is required in both school and vocational education, aimed at both greater equality of opportunity for the socially disadvantaged and overcoming discrimination. The study also highlights the heterogeneity of social situations and educational circumstances within the minority. This has implications for strategies aimed at improving the social situation and educational opportunities. Efforts are particularly needed for the subsequent generation of that subgroup of parents in the minority who do not have school qualifications, as well as for those who have achieved a special or secondary school level but were unable to acquire vocational qualifications. An appropriate strategy should focus on comprehensive support for the educational efforts of minority members and include measures for greater equality of opportunity in the education system. At the same time, it should include social and labor market policy concepts for reducing disadvantages and social spatial segregation, as well as an anti-discrimination policy that assures all members of the minority of being recognized as equal members of society and protected from discrimination in all areas of society.