Public debate "Supporting education in the Roma community"

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IPC organized a public debate „Supporting education in Roma community“ in Darda on 27 March 2014, as one of the activities of the “Free Legal Assistance to Roma in Civil Registration in Croatia” project.

Guests at the debate were Ivica Zavrski, senior legal adviser at the Department of Administration for education, culture, sport and technical culture in Osijek-Baranja County, Dusko Kostic, president of the NGO "Luna", Branko Djurdjevic, president of the Council of the Roma national minority, community Darda, Ante Vukoja, Mayor of Darda, Janos Boni, director of elementary school Darda and Jelena Jelenic, RKUD's representative.

35 citizens, members of Roma minority, attended public debate. IPC presented to them activities which have been implemented through the project, as well as results achieved in 2013.

Ivica Zavrski emphasized the importance of Roma education, pointing out that Osijek-baranja county is granting 500 kuna scholarship per month to each Roma who continues his / her education. Ante Vukoja also highlighted that municipality Darda stimulates high school students with 400 kuna per month and that currently eight Roma are scholarship beneficiaries.

Dusko Kostic, who serves as an example of high educated Roma, informed all the present that Public college “ Poetic” conducts adult education in Osijek-baranja county and that all interested in high education can contact Commission Office for National minorities in order to obtain financial assistance.

During the public debate, the parents were encouraged on several occasions to motivate their children to graduate from primary schools and to continue and finish their high school education.

Guests emphasized the importance of holding further public debates in order to inform members of Roma community about their rights and obligations.