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Description
In Poland, there are approximately 90 people in the profession of Roma Teaching Assistant (RTA), working with children during the elementary school period. They are trusted by the Roma community, and at times are the only link between school and the Roma community. Despite this important role, their professional situation is not good. Some do not even complete secondary school education, resulting in them being marginalized in the school education system. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA), an RTA''s professional duties directly improve the level of education and school attendance of Roma children and young people, and for this reason they should also have the option of specialist training (figures from 01.2019). To date, however, no nationwide and institutional scheme has been created to improve their skills. The aim of the project is to strengthen the professional of Roma Teaching Assistant. Under the project, we will conduct empowerment workshops in the form of four conferences. Each participant will be given psychological, legal, and teaching skills support. Within the formed support group, we will organize three working meetings to examine the situation and needs of RTAs and develop self-advocate attitudes. The produced materials will be included in a publication (available on our website), which will also feature articles on the present situation of Roma people in Poland. We will create an online platform for communication, workshops, advice, and education for RTAs. The issue will be publicized at a conference to summarize the project. Roma Teaching Assistants from various regions in Poland will take part in the project. 20 participants will improve their skills and learn advocacy skills, and how to pass them on to others. The online portal featuring educational materials and advice will be used by Roma family assistants and others interested in the subject.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of social exclusion of Roma children in the education system and to the need to develop the profession of Roma Educational Assistant (REA). This profession is practised in Poland by about 90 people working with Roma children at the primary school stage. Assistants work in every sixth primary school attended by a Roma child (Ministry of Education). The most numerous groups of assistants work where there are large concentrations of Roma, e.g. in Malopolska, Lower Silesia, Silesia. These individuals enjoy the trust of the Roma community and are often the only link between the school and the Roma community. Despite their important role, their professional situation is not good. Some of them do not even have a secondary education, which marginalises them in the school system. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the professional duties of REAs have a direct impact on improving the educational level and school attendance of Roma children and young people, which is why the profession should receive specialised training. There is a lack of tools that would allow for a structured and systemic development of the competences of persons performing the role of assistants, such as mediation, intercultural, communication, pedagogical and conflict resolution skills.
Within the framework of the project, strengthening workshops were conducted for 21 Roma educational assistants in the form of 4 conventions. Psychological, legal and pedagogical support was provided to each participant. Within the framework of the established support group, three working meetings were organised to diagnose the situation and needs of REAs and to develop guidelines for self-advocacy activities. Many materials were created and included in a publication. A web platform for communication, counselling and online training for Roma educational assistants was created.
The project involved 21 people, Roma education assistants from different regions of Poland. They improved their competences for working with Roma children in the Polish education system and developed advocacy skills. The training sessions were highly inclusive, allowing participants to build relationships, share professional experiences and support each other. The project was therefore an important step towards strengthening the profession of Roma educational assistants. The educational and counselling materials developed as part of the project will serve the wider Roma community and people working with Roma children on a daily basis, and to those interested in the subject.