Segregation of and discrimination against Roma children in education

5.9.2023

Question for oral answer  O-000039/2023
to the Commission
Rule 136
Peter Pollák
on behalf of the PPE Group

Since 2014, the Commission has launched several infringement proceedings (against the Czech Republic (2014), Slovakia (2015, 2023) and Hungary (2016)) for failure to correctly implement the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC). Discrimination against and segregation of Roma children in schools still persists, even though a significant amount of EU funding has been provided to address the situation in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted even more starkly the importance of inclusion and fairness in education, including in relation to digitalisation.

While Parliament fully supports the Commission’s approach, it would also be interested in the situation at EU level and in all 27 Member States, as well as in the following:

• 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure that the EU funds made available to Member States to support inclusive, non-segregated quality education are used efficiently and effectively?
• 2.How will the Commission’s assessment be reflected under the strategy to achieve the European Education Area by 2025, which sets ambitious European goals in the field of education for all EU Member States, focuses on improving equity and inclusion in education and training and underpins the EU’s commitment to promoting fundamental freedoms, tolerance and non-discrimination, including through education?

Submitted: 5.9.2023

Lapses: 6.12.2023