Thessaloniki Education
Unraveling the Educational Crisis: Roma Children in Greece It’s a moral imperative to recognize the struggles of Roma children
by Maria Lina Anagnostidou
inable conditions. Shacks without electricity
In the heart of Europe, there exists a social, or water, plagued by humidity and mud in win-
economic, political, and educational modern scandal that violates the basic rights of children. In Greece a significant number of Roma children face barriers to education, due to the uniform, monocultural character, and bureaucratic functioning of the school institution. In order to address this pressing issue, it is imperative for educators and policymakers to understand the complex challenges faced by Roma families and advocate for inclusive policies that prioritize their right to education.
Roma girl
ter, and stifling heat in summer, serve as their homes. In these environments, where basic amenities are considered a luxury, the mere survival of individuals can be considered a miracle, let alone their education. Books and notebooks meant for study can easily become food for rodents, or dissolve in the first downpour.
Moreover, when darkness descends early, and
families seal their shacks to conserve heat, the option of studying becomes a distant dream. Crowded into these small, poorly constructed dwellings, the families lack the privacy (a fundamental aspect of human development) that many take for granted. For children, this absence of personal space hinders their ability to focus on education. It is in this context that we must ask ourselves: can we realistically expect these children to thrive in school?
© Unknown Artist
Living Conditions: A Harsh Reality
In the approximately 100 camps scattered across Greece, Roma families live in unimag-
24
House in Dendropotamos, Thessaloniki
© Emma Strocchi
