Indicator history

Although no quantitative data is available, it is generally accepted that the Romani children have the highest rate of dropout and the poorest educational attainment. This has improved over the years as a result of measures adopted in the framework of the Educational Priority Zones. However, studies show that although non-attendance of the Romani children has been significantly reduced, their educational attainment remains low, largely as a result of the fact that the syllabus and educational methods used are not adapted to their needs. As a result, it is questionable whether the skills and knowledge acquired can offer them the tools to assist them with their social and labour integration and employment. Hence the levels of unemployment remain extremely high amongst the Roma including those Roma who have attended schools.

Other non-Greek speakers also face problems at school but of a lesser extent than the Romani children. Research suggests that the socioeconomic and class position of the parents is crucial in the children's educational attainment, therefore the children of poorer migrants tend to perform worse than children whose parents are more affluent or in a superior class position, irrespective of national origin. An additional aggravating factor is the existence of a racialised social and ideological hierarchy which inevitably impacts upon the children's educational attainment. Research shows that, within the schooling system, racialised knowledge, expectations  and attitudes can be reinforced and perpetuated, despite declared policies to the contrary, particularly in the context of a failure to address racial violence which is branded as mere delinquent behaviour.