Improve Educational Outcomes

The Irish government has set a goal to Improve Educational Outcomes in the number of Travellers and Roma children staying in school and achieving their Leaving Certificate as part of a new six-year strategy aimed at improving educational outcomes.

A report published in 2019 by EU researchers revealed that 70% of young people aged 16-18 from the Irish Traveller community were not participating in further education or training, compared to just 5% of young Irish people in general. In response, the Irish government committed in 2020 to enhance access to higher and further education for students from Traveller and Roma communities.

This commitment has culminated in the cross-departmental Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES), which is described by the Department of Education as a “whole-of-government approach to improving the lives of Travellers and Roma.”

What is the Traveller and Roma Improve Educational Outcomes Strategy?

The Department of Improve Educational Outcomes has designed TRES specifically to address the educational needs of children, young people, and adults from the Traveller and Roma communities. The strategy aims to enhance their educational experiences and outcomes through a series of key actions, including:

• Increasing the number of young people staying in school until sixth year and achieving a Leaving Certificate.
• Promoting inclusion and diversity through teacher training programs.
• Encouraging diversity within the education workforce.
• Integrating Traveller culture and history into the school curriculum.
• Ensuring all Traveller and Roma children participate in a two-year preschool program.
• Creating safe and inclusive environments within higher education institutions.
• Researching and addressing barriers that prevent access to tertiary education.

As part of an initial two-year plan, two national coordinators will be appointed to oversee the strategy's implementation. Additionally, Family Link Workers will be deployed to support the rollout of a parenting support program.

Ambitious Goals

The strategy was unveiled by Minister for Improve Educational Outcomes Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman TD, and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD. Minister Foley emphasized the government's commitment to promoting inclusion and combating racism across the education system.

In the coming weeks, a broader Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy will be published, with TRES playing a key role in its educational components, according to Minister O'Gorman. Minister O'Donovan highlighted the importance of the strategy in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can access higher education without barriers. He acknowledged that while the goals are ambitious, they are essential for creating a more inclusive Ireland.

Addressing Racism and Discrimination

Pavee Point, an organization advocating for Traveller rights, has welcomed the strategy and called for its swift implementation. Co-director Martin Collins stressed the need to ensure that the experiences of racism and discrimination that have historically hindered Travellers' education are no longer obstacles to achieving their educational goals.

Pavee Point has also urged the Department of Improve Educational Outcomes to include clear targets, timelines, and dedicated resources within the strategy to ensure equal participation at all educational levels. The organization also highlighted a lack of data on Roma children, which they believe needs to be addressed to set appropriate and realistic educational goals. Vanessa Paszkowska, Pavee Point’s Roma education worker, pointed out the urgent need to address barriers such as the Habitual Residence Condition, lack of Child Benefit, and language issues, which prevent many Roma children from participating fully in education.