The Romani pupils that are enrolled in first and second grade in the 2020/2021 school year were granted a total of 638 scholarships. These are part of the project in North Mscedonia financed by the European Union “Regular classes: Action for an inclusion of the Romani in elementary education.”
This project was implemented by the Foundation Open Society Macedonia, Association center for educational support of children “Dendo Vas” and the Foundation for educational and cultural initiatives “Step by Step.”
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As the Foundation Open Society Macedonia informs, the right for the scholarship had Romani pupils whose families are receiving social welfare and is connected to the families’ incomes.
“Following these criteria, scholarships were granted to 320 pupils from first grade. The scholarship pupils come from 58 elementary schools, from 31 municipalities. At the same time, 315 scholarships were granted during this year to Romani pupils enrolled in second grade, and three scholarships for pupils enrolled in the third grade. They come from 56 elementary schools from 28 municipalities, 54% are girls, and 46 % are boys. 280 of these scholarship pupils had their scholarship for first grade that was granted in the previous year renewed,” the Foundation announced.
They also said that the scholarships will contribute to lowering the financial burdens for the Romani families about the education of their children. The scholarship is granted for a period of one school year and is in the amount of 400 EUR annually. These assets are supposed to cover education expenses, clothes, school materials and tools, sports, and other equipment for out-of-classroom activities. The regular pupils will be able to keep the scholarship for the current year and those that will move on to the next level will potentially be able to renew it in the next year.
“The project’s goal is to allow equal access to education for Romani children and to motivate the children to attend the classes regularly, but also to help the schools to provide an inclusive environment for studying where the differences are respected and where all children will feel welcomed and equally stimulated to succeed,” announced the Foundation where they also reminded that this project which is financed by the EU will be implemented by October 2022.
