International Day of Students: End segregation in education!

On the International Day of Students, MDAC, together with the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), urges governments to end the segregation of children with disabilities and Roma children in education, and to ensure inclusive education for all children.

Children with disabilities and Romani children are placed in segregated classrooms and schools, separated from their peers and receive an inferior education. This happens across Central and Eastern Europe, and beyond. These practices are a violation of binding international law and have been found contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights in numerous judgments. States should act with urgency to respect these judgments.

photo credit: energeticspell

UN mechanisms have a key role to play in condemning discriminatory practices against both groups of children. MDAC recently welcomed the report of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which expressed concern to the government of Moldova that both children with disabilities and Roma children lack access to mainstream and inclusive education, and they face negative attitudes from teachers and school administrators. The Committee called on the government to ensure their access to inclusive education as well as tackle prejudice and raise awareness. MDAC welcomed these statements, particularly as they demonstrate that the segregation of any child is wrong.