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Survey on the Successfulness of the Roma Decade in Higher Education 2004-2014

Publisher:

Margarita Caca Nikolovska

Author:

Dzenifer Dzeladin

Graduation and attaining University degree should represent a motivation for future

generations and should improve living conditions of Roma population, and it should also

encourage the growing trend of Roma women acquiring diploma and attaining University

degree.

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Content

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4

Legal structure of higher education and the right of minority ethnic communities in RM .......................... 5

Roma students enrolled in public and private faculties in the country per academic year in the period

2004 - 2014 ................................................................................................................................................... 8

1. Enrolled Roma female students (increase and decrease of enrolled Roma female students) per

academic year in the period 2004-2014 ...................................................................................................... 12

2. Attractive faculties for enrolment of Roma students versus “unattractive” faculties and to what extent

are the scholarship programmes instrumental for enrolment at the faculty among Roma students ........... 12

3. Scholarship programmes for Roma students ......................................................................................... 16

3.1. Scholarships awarded by the RMUSP and RHSP Programmes ....................................... 17

III. Graduated Roma students per year in the period 2007-2014 ................................................................ 19

3.1 Comparison of graduated Roma students per year ..................................................... 23

IV. Total number of enrolled and graduated Roma students ...................................................................... 24

Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 26

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Introduction

The Institute for Human Rights (IHR), in cooperation with the Central European University

(CEU) from Budapest implemented the Project “Roma Placement Program” from May to

December 2015 within which Roma with University degree were hired by nongovernmental

nonRoma organisations for a period of one year. The Project was implemented in the country and

Serbia and was financed by National Endowment for Democracy. Within the frames of the Project,

the Institute for Human Rights from September 2015 to March 2016 conducted a survey to

conclude the total number of enrolled and graduated Roma in public and private faculties in RM

during the period from 2004 to 2014.

The need of such a survey came out as a result to the lack of data and reports related to the Roma

Decade in University education 2004-2015, or more precisely, there was lack of thorough surveys

on enrolled and graduated Roma in higher education.

The idea for such a survey arose from the activities implemented within the Project

“Strengthening implementation mechanisms on the rights of smaller communities”, as

implemented by the Institute for Human Rights. With the implementation of this survey, we

achieved results relating to the number of enrolled Roma in public and private universities in RM

and the total number of those that completed higher university education. Also, this survey would

help establish how much did the scholarships granted by Roma Education Fund1 help Roma

students, to what extent have the scholarships motivated them enrol and graduate and hence raise

the number of Roma holding University degree in RM.

The analysis below contains the number of enrolled and graduated Roma men and women, as well

as comparative numbers of enrolled and graduated Roma and students, respectively.

The data on enrolled and graduated Roma students in higher education in the period 2004-2014

were gathered from publications issued by the State Statistical Office. During the research, we

faced obstacles and lack or non-existence of data on all faculties and state universities; hence it

was impossible for us to ensure the realistic number of enrolled and graduated Roma students.

1 Roma Education Fund http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/

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Legal structure of higher education and the right of minority

ethnic communities in RM

According to the 2002 census, Roma community represent approximately 2.7% (53,879)23, of the

overall population in RM, making Roma fourth largest ethnic community in the country (following

ethnic Macedonians, Albanians and Turks). According to unofficial estimates of local Roma

NGOs, the percentage of Roma community from the overall population is much higher, reaching

some 6%.

In RM, the right to education is guaranteed by the constitution and is accessible to everyone under

equal conditions. Community members have the right to education in their native language, both

in primary and secondary school education, as provided by the law. Official data affirmatively

indicate that the number of Roma students is disconsolately low in the country.

The Law on Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Communities less than 20% of the

population in RM clearly states that members of the communities are citizens belonging to the

communities that are less than 20% of the population in the country, according to the latest census

conducted in the country and they have the right to education at all levels in their native languages.4

Even though the Law on Primary Education provides the right to study own mother tongue, the

elective course Roma Language and Culture is most frequently not offered as a matter of choice

to Roma students in primary schools, where Roma representation is less than 20%. As justification

for this problem authorities state the insufficient number of teachers who could teach this subject,

but yet, they do not provide particular solutions to this problem and no measures are introduced to

enhance the selection of this type of education among Roma students.

Secondary school education does not offer Roma Language and Culture either as elective subject.

In higher education, Roma Language course is offered as an elective course for all students in

public faculties, as envisaged by Article 103 of the Law on Highly Educated and reads: "The

teaching in higher education institutions is performed in Macedonian language. To better express,

foster and develop own identity and other characteristics, the community members have the right

to attend education in public higher education institutions teaching in their native languages. State

funding shall be provided for higher education also in the language spoken by at least 20% of the

population in RM. The education in the public higher education institutions of pedagogy for

educators for preschool education and teachers for primary school education, as well as in didactic-

methodological courses for secondary school teachers may be conducted also in the languages of

2 State Statistical Office, Census 2002. http://www.slvesnik.com.mk/Issues/ED8DC7AF8F917D4B9704F49E8EFCD0DB.pdf, бр. 07-2939/1 од 3 јули 2008 година 4 Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia Nos. 92, http://www.slvesnik.com.mk/Issues/ED8DC7AF8F917D4B9704F49E8EFCD0DB.pdf,

no. 07-2939/1 of 17 July 2008 (accessed in September 2015)

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the members of other communities that are not majority in the country. Teaching in private higher

education institutions may also be performed in the languages of the non-majority communities in

RM, or in any of the global languages. State funding shall be provided for higher education also

in the language spoken by at least 20% of the population in RM. The education in the public higher

education institutions of pedagogy for educators for preschool education and teachers for primary

school education, as well as in didactic-methodological courses for secondary school teachers may

be conducted also in the languages of the members of other non-majority communities in the

country. Teaching in private higher education institutions may also be performed in the languages

of the non-majority communities in the country, or in any of the global languages.5

Although the Constitution and laws of the country stipulate attending education in own native

language for the communities, studying Roma Language and Culture in primary school education

is offered to Roma students as an elective subject only in few primary schools, whilst in the

secondary schools, it is not offered either as elective course, at all. Only few years ago, there was

an elective course Roma Language offered at the Faculty of Philology in Skopje, which is currently

suspended. Maybe if it was offered, as the law provides for studying own native language, there

would be higher number of Roma graduates attending studies in their own native language and

completing their studies much easily. Also if a Roma Language Department is introduced, there

shall certainly be higher interest among Roma students to enrol at the faculty.

The 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement, in the section Education and Use of Languages stipulates:

“In primary and secondary school education, the course shall be conducted in the native languages

of the students, and at the same time, uniform standards of academic programmes shall be applied

countrywide6.“

One of the key documents is the 2006-2015 Roma Decade Strategy7 where one of the priority areas

is education.

In the 2005-2015 Roma Strategy, measures have been envisaged for improvement and inclusion

of Roma population in higher education. The measures are listed below:

Keep the state quota system by increasing the quota for enrolment of Roma students from

2% to 4%, and the recommendation shall be to assess for which faculties there is interest

each academic year (in agreement with state-funded universities);

Ensure scholarships for Roma students to enrol in faculties and ensure mentorship

assistance;

In the accommodation of students’ homes, Roma students should be given high priority in

the accommodation lists;

5 Law on higher education 14.03.2008 file:///C:/Users/Hp/Downloads/visokoto_obrazovanie_35_14032008.pdf 6 Framework Agreement 13.08.2001http://www.siofa.gov.mk/data/file/Ramkoven_dogovor_mk.pdf од 13.08.2001 7 Ministry for labour and social policy January 2005 http://www.mtsp.gov.mk/wbstorage/files/strategija_romi.pdf од јануари 2015

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Increase the number of Roma students enrolled in the faculties, producing teaching staff,

aimed at achieving optimum number of trained Roma community staff;

Deliver trainings to Pedagogy Faculty students on anti-discrimination in education, aiming

at increasing the sensibility of future professors;

Create conditions for opening a Department of Roma Studies at Ss. Cyril and Methodius

University in Skopje, where language shall be a teaching course, instead of language to

deliver teaching, as well as start a group where teaching language shall be Roma – at the

Faculty of Pedagogy;

Stimulate greater participation of Roma in teaching staff in all state-funded universities in

the country;

In “Methodology” teaching programme of teacher and pedagogy faculties, specific section

should be incorporated for training of future teachers to work with ethnically mixed classes,

as well as with children coming from poor families;

The University Administration should be more engaged in overcoming problems of Roma

population in education;

Promote activities to encourage interaction with students from other ethnic communities;

Mutual cooperation and communication of all Roma high school or university students, by

having in mind recent positive experiences.

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Roma students enrolled in public and private faculties in the

country per academic year in the period 2004 - 2014

In the academic year 2004/20058, total of 103 Roma students were enrolled, of which 57 women

and 46 men, the majority of which were enrolled at the following faculties: Faculty of Law 20

students, of which 7 are women, Faculty of Philosophy 15, of which 8 are women, Faculty of

Economy 12, of which 9 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy 10, of which 8 are women, Faculty of

Philology 8, of which 7 are women, Faculty of Medicine 5, of which 4 are women; Faculty of

Dentistry 4, of which 1 is woman; Faculty of Tourism 5, of which 3 are women. Lower interest

has been noted in the enrolment of Roma students at the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical

Sciences, Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of Musical arts.9

In the academic year 2005/2006,10 total of 140 Roma students were enrolled, of which 71 women

and 69 men, making the number higher of enrolled Roma students at the public and private

faculties by 37 more Roma students, compared to previous academic year. Also in this year the

number of women was higher and the greatest part of them have enrolled in social science faculties,

as follows: Faculty of Law 32 students, of which 15 are women, Faculty of Philosophy 25, of

which 15 are women, Faculty of Philology 14, of which 7 are women, Faculty of

Pedagogy 13, of which 11 are women, Faculty of Economy 8, of which 5 are women, Faculty of

Medicine 6, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences 5, of which 2

are women, Faculty of Musical Arts total of 5, Faculty of Tourism in Ohrid 4, of which 1 woman,

Faculty of Dentistry 4, of which 1 woman.

In the academic year 2006/200711, total of 186 students were enrolled, of which 80 women and

106 men and this year the number of enrolled Roma students was increased by 46, compared to

previous year, but yet, the number decreased of enrolled women and the number of men enrolled

at the faculties of social sciences has raised. The highest number of enrolled Roma students for

this academic year is noted at the Faculty of Law, with 34, of which 10 are women, Faculty of

Philosophy 22, of which 12 are women, Faculty of Philology 17, of which 10 are women,

Faculty of Economy 13, of which 6 are women, Faculty of Medicine 13, of which 7 are women,

Public Administration – SEEU Tetovo 10, of which 2 are women, Faculty of Tourism 4, of which

1 woman, Faculty of Musical Arts 5, Faculty of Law – SEEU Tetovo 5, of which 3 are women.

In the academic year 2007/200812 total of 184 were enrolled, of which 86 women and 98 men. In

this academic year, the number of enrolled Roma students was decreased by 2 students, but also

8 The publication is not available on the web-site of the State Statistical Office, the data are collected via Request for free access to information

of public character; 9 Detailed table containing the total number of enrolled students per year, divided by faculty is available in Annex 1 page 26 10 The publication is not available on the web-site of the State Statistical Office, the data are collected via Request for free access to information

of public character; 11 The publication is not available on the web-site of the State Statistical Office, the data are collected via Request for free access to information

of public character; 12 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in 2007/2008, 2009 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=194 (accessed in

October 2015)

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the number of women, compared to men is lower; men are again mostly represented in the social

science faculties. The greatest interest shown by enrolled Roma students is in the following

faculties: Faculty of Philosophy 30, of which 21 are women, Faculty of Law 24, of which 8 are

women, Faculty of Philology 15, of which 9 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy 12, of which 8 are

women, Faculty of Medicine 11, of which 6 are women, Faculty of Economy 7, of which 5 are

women, Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip 9, of which 7 are women, Faculty of Public Administration

– SEEU Tetovo 9, of which 3 are women, Faculty of Law – SEEU Tetovo 5, of which 3 are women,

Faculty of Music Academy 6, Faculty of Tourism and Catering in Ohrid 4, of which 1 woman.

Also, great interest was shown in enrolling in private faculties.

In the academic year 2008/200913, total of 233 students were enrolled, of which 113 women and

120 men. In this academic year, the number was noticeably increased of enrolled Roma, with 49

more Roma students, compared to previous academic year. This academic year the number of

enrolled women was increased, the majority of which have enrolled in the social science faculties.

The highest number of enrolled Roma students have been noted in the following faculties: Faculty

of Philosophy 37, of which 23 are women, Faculty of Law 25, of which 10 are women, Faculty of

Philology 15, of which 8 are women, Faculty of Medicine 13, of which 7 are women, Faculty of

Public Administration and Political Sciences SEEU Tetovo 12, of which 5 are women, Faculty of

Pedagogy 11, of which 9 are women, Faculty of Economy 9, of which 5 are women, and for the

first time in the academic year 2008/2009, at the Faculty of Defence Studies 8 were enrolled, of

which 3 are women (otherwise, the average of enrolled Roma students in the previous years was

maximum 2 enrolled Roma); Faculty of Philology – State University of Tetovo 8, of which 4 are

women, Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip 7, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Machinery Engineering

6, of which 1 woman, Faculty of Law – SEEU Tetovo 5, of which 3 are women.

In the academic year 2009/201014, total of 205 students were enrolled, of which 103 women and

102 men. The highest number of enrolled Roma students have been noted in the following

faculties: Faculty of Philosophy 22 of which 17 are women, Faculty of Philology 18 of which 11

are women, Faculty of Law 17 of which 10 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip 15 of which

8 are women, Faculty of Public Administration and Political Sciences SEEU Tetovo 12 of which

6 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy Skopje 10 of which 7 are women, Faculty of security Skopje

9 of which 2 are women, Faculty of Medicine 7 of which 4 are women, Faculty of Dentistry 5 of

which 3 are women.

13 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in2008/2009, 2010 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=190 (accessed in

October 2015) 14 State Statistical Office , students enrolled in 2009/2010, 2011 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=272

(accessed in October 2015)

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In the academic year 2010/201115, total of 212 students were enrolled, of which 104 women and

108 men. The greatest number of enrolled Roma students has been noted at the following faculties:

Faculty of Philosophy 35, of which 26 are women, Faculty of Law 17, of which 12 are women,

Faculty of Philology 13, of which 8 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy 12, of which 8 are women,

Faculty of Medicine 9, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Public Administration and Political

Sciences – SEEU Tetovo 7, of which 5 are women, Faculty of Security 6, of which 1 woman,

Faculty of Philology – State University Tetovo 5, of which 3 are women, Faculty of Law Kichevo

5, of which 2 are women, Faculty of Agriculture – Shtip 4, Faculty of Law Kochani 5, of which 4

are women, Faculty of Pedagogy Shtip 4, of which 2 are women.

In the academic year 2011/201216, total of 216 have been enrolled, of which 110 women and 106

men. The number of enrolled Roma students was raised by 4 more, but also the number of enrolled

women has risen, compared to men. The greatest number of enrolled Roma students was noted at

the following faculties: Faculty of Philosophy 20, of which 13 are women, Faculty of Medicine

17, of which 12 are women, Faculty of Philology 10, of which 8 are women, Faculty of Pedagogy

11, of which 6 are women, Faculty of Philology – Shtip 9, of which 4 are women,

Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics – Gevgelija 9, of which 3 are women, Faculty of

Security 8, of which 1 is woman, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food 7, of which 5 are

women, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences 7, of which 1 is woman, Faculty of Law

Kochani 7, of which 1 woman, Faculty of Medical Sciences – Shtip 6, of which 5 are women,

Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip 6, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Technical Sciences Bitola 6,

Business Academy Smilevski 5, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences

– Shtip 5, of which 2 are women, Faculty of Pharmacy 4, of which 3 are women, Faculty of Law

Kichevo 4, of which 1 is woman, Faculty of Economy Shtip 4, of which 3 are women, Faculty of

Law – SEEU Tetovo 4, of which 2 are women.

In the academic year 2012/201317 total of 219 students were enrolled, of which 105 women and

114 men, making the number of enrolled students increase by 3 students more. Again this year,

the number of enrolled male students is higher. The number of enrolled Roma students have been

enrolled at the following faculties: Faculty of Law 16, of which 6 are women, Faculty of

Philosophy 16, of which 9 are women, Faculty of Medicine 14, of which 8 are women, Faculty of

Economy 11, of which 8 are women, Faculty of Philology 10, of which 8 are women, Faculty of

Medical Sciences – Shtip 11, of which 7 are women, Faculty of Public Administration and

Political Sciences – SEEU Tetovo 9, of which 5 are women, Faculty of Tourism and Business

Logistics Gevgelija 9, of which 6 are women, Faculty of Philology Shtip 9, of which 6 are women,

Faculty of Law Kochani 9, of which 4 are women, Technical Faculty Bitola 7, of which 2 are

women, Faculty of Law Kichevo 7, of which 4 are women, Faculty of Tourism and Catering Ohrid

15 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in 2010/2011, 2013 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=440 (accessed in

October 2015) 16 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in 2011/2012, 2013 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=448 ( accessed in

October 2015) 17 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in 2012/2013, 2014http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=516( accessed in

October 2015)

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6, of which 3 are women, Faculty of Security 5, of which 1 woman, Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip

5, of which 1 woman, Faculty of Musical Arts – Shtip 4, of which 1 woman.

In the academic year 2013/201418, total of 233 students were enrolled, of which 119 women and

114 men, having the number of enrolled students rise by 14 students. Also in this academic year,

the highest number of enrolled Roma has been recorded, and thus – the highest number of enrolled

women. The highest number of enrolled Roma students have been recorded at the following

faculties: Faculty of Philology 19, of which 12 women, Faculty of Medical Sciences – 18, of which

10 women, Faculty of Law 17 of which 6 women, Faculty of Philology 11, of which 9 are women,

Faculty of Medical Sciences- State University Tetovo 11, of which 6 women, Public

Administration and Political Sciences – SEEU Tetovo 11, of which 7 women, Faculty of Musical

Arts 8, Faculty of Pedagogy 7, of which 4 women, Technical Faculty- Bitola 7, of which 3 women,

Faculty of Law Kichevo 6, of which 2 women, Faculty of Civil Engineering 5, of which 3 women,

Faculty of Dentistry 5, of which 3 women, Faculty of Security 5, of which 2 women, Faculty of

Tourism and Business Logistics Gevgelija 5, of which

2 women, School of Journalism and Public Relations 5, of which 2 women, Faculty of Pharmacy

4, of which 2 women, Faculty of Economy – Shtip 4, of which 3 women.

18 State Statistical Office, students enrolled in 2013/2014, 2014 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=38&rbr=523(accessed in

October 2015)

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Enrolled Roma female students (increase and decrease of enrolled Roma female

students) per academic year in the period 2004-2014

At annual level, the number of enrolled Roma students has been increasingly growing from year

to year, as well as the number of enrolled Roma women/girls. Thus, in 2004/2005, of the total

number of enrolled students, 57 were women, in 2005/2006 the number of women raises up to 71

women, in 2006/2007 the number of women raises up to 80 women, in 2007/2008 86 women, in

2008/2009 the number ascended to 113 enrolled women, in 2009/2010 103 women, in 2010/2011

104 women were enrolled, in 2011/2012 110 women, in 2012/2013 105 women were enrolled, and

the number of enrolled women is highest in 2013/2014, reaching 119 women. From the data stated

above, one can see that the highest number of Roma female students is recorded in the academic

2013/2014, with 119 women enrolled.

1. Attractive faculties for enrolment of Roma students versus “unattractive” faculties and to

what extent are the scholarship programmes instrumental for enrolment at the faculty

among Roma students

Most attractive faculties for enrolment, according to Roma students, are the following public and

private faculties: Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of law, Faculty of Philology, Faculty of Economy

and Faculty of Medicine. Later in the text you may see in details the total of enrolled in the period

2004-2014.

In the following charts, the number is presented of enrolled Roma students in attractive faculties

in the period 2004 – 2014. The figures are the following:

0 20 40 60 80

100 120

Enrollment of females per year 2004 - 2014

2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

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Faculty of Philosophy of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – the total number of

enrolled Roma students in the period 2004-2014 is 241, of which 156 are women. Highest number

of enrolled students is recorded in the academic year 2008/2009 with total of 37 in the academic

years 2010/2011, 26 women were enrolled in each academic year.

Faculty of Law of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – the total number of enrolled

Roma students in the period 2004-2014 is 208, of which 87 are women. Highest number of enrolled

Roma students is recorded in the academic year 2006/2007, with total of 34 Roma students, whilst

the highest number of enrolled Roma women students is noted in the academic year 2005/2006,

with total of 15 women.

0

20

40

Total Women

Total number of enrolled students at the Faculty of Philosophy

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

0 5

10 15 20 25 30 35

Total Women

Total number of enrolled students at the Law Faculty

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2012/2013 2013/2014

14

Faculty of Philology Skopje at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – the total number of

enrolled Roma students in the period 2004-2014 is 131, of which 85 are women. Highest number

of enrolled students is recorded in the academic year 2009/2010, with total of 18 students, of which

11 women that were enrolled in the same year.

Faculty of Medicine Skopje – the total number of enrolled Roma students in the period 2004-2014

is 113, of which 66 are women. Highest number of enrolled is recorded in the academic year

2013/2014, with total of 18, and highest number of enrolled women is recorded in the academic

year 2011/2012, with total of 12 enrolled female students.

Faculty of Pedagogy St. Kliment Ohridski of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – the

total number of enrolled Roma students in the period 2004-2014 is 103, of which 73 women.

0

10

20

Total Women

Total number of enrolled Roma students at the Faculty of

Philology

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

0

5

10

15

20

Total Women n

Total number of enrolled Roma students at the Faculty of

Medicine

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

15

Highest number of enrolled students is recorded in the academic year 2005/2006, with total of 13

students. In the same academic year the highest number of enrolled women has also been recorded,

reaching total of 11.

Faculty of Economy Skopje of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje – the total number of

enrolled Roma students in the period 2004-2014 is 88, of which 57 are women. Highest number

of enrolled students was recorded in the academic year 2006/2007, with total of 13.

Highest number of enrolled women was recorded in the academic year 2004/2005, with total of

9.

From the so-called “unattractive” faculties for Roma students, in the period 2004-2014, not a single

Roma student was enrolled in any of the following faculties: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Faculty of Technological –

Metallurgic Engineering, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Bio-

Technical Sciences Bitola, and also, low is the interest for enrolment in the Military Academy.

0

5

10

15

Total Women

Total number of enrolled Roma students at the Faculty of

Economy

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

0

5

10

15

Total Women

Total number of enrolled Roma students at the Faculty of

Pedagogy

2004 - 2014

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014

16

Scholarship programmes for Roma students

As of 2001, scholarship programme was launched for Roma students to enrol in public and private

faculties in the country. In 2007, the Roma Memorial University Scholarship Programme

RMUSP19 was taken over by Roma Education Fund19. In the academic year 2010/2011, the

Programme was commenced for awarding scholarships to Roma students studying medicine

(RHSP) in RM, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. A majority of these countries have made significant

steps to reform their higher education policies and systems, aiming at development and progress

of students, and overall alignment of national policies with international policies, in relation to

higher education.

Roma Education Fund – Scholarship Programme (REF/PS) has been publishing the scholarship

awards for the programmes (RMUSP and RHSP) on annual basis. RMUSP has been publishing

announcement for academic scholarships intended for Roma students who are nationals or

permanent residents of the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,

Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, RM, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic

and Turkey. The eligible applicants should attend/will attend undergraduate, postgraduate, master

and doctoral studies at state-accredited universities in the country of residence.

REF is implementing projects towards advancing education of Roma in Macedonia. It includes the

following activities: Assistance in preparing municipalities to take over education decision making

– e.g. through competitions for local governments that have a significant percentage of Roma

population; Activities that focus on increasing the quality of education for the Roma; Mentoring

at transition grades (four and eight) to increase progression rates; Providing support in obtaining

textbooks to disadvantaged students in communities with significant Roma populations – by

borrowing from school libraries, providing special cheap editions, etc; Providing teacher and

mentor training; Using Roma education centres to connect parents with schools and reach parents

through training, sharing best practices for early schooling, information campaigns, and awareness

raising; Applying the experience from the “Tanoda” example in Hungary to find the best ways to

organise additional classes and after-school activities; Scaling up of scholarship and mentoring

programmes at the secondary level.

19 Roma Education Fund http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/upatstvo-za-pri-avuva-e (accessed in February 2016) 19Roma

Education Fund http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/ref-one-page#

(accessed in February 2016)

17

3.1. Scholarships awarded by the RMUSP and RHSP Programmes

Data were made available on the website of the Roma Education Fund in Budapest for the

academic years: 2011/2012; 2012/2013; 2013/2014; 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, whilst data on the

number of awarded scholarships for the period 2001-2010 we were not able to obtain.

In the academic year 2011/2012, through the RMUSP Programme, total of 106 scholarships were

awarded, of which 56 were awarded to men and 50 to women. The RHSP Programme – medicine

students, total of 75 scholarships were awarded, of which 25 to men and 50 to women. Total of

scholarships awarded by both Programmes is 181, of which 100 were awarded to women.

In the academic year 2012/2013, through the RMUSP Programme, total of 80 scholarships were

awarded, of which 36 to men and 44 to women. The RHSP Programme – medicine students, total

of 72 scholarships were awarded, of which 26 to men and 46 to women. Total of scholarships

awarded by both Programmes are 152, of which 90 to women.

In the academic year 2013/2014, through RMUSP Programme, total of 105 scholarships were

awarded, of which 51 to men and 54 to women. The RHSP Programme – medicine students, total

of 56 scholarships were awarded, of which 17 to men and 39 to women. Total of scholarships

awarded by both Programmes is 161, of which 93 to women.

In the academic year 2014/2015, through the RMUSP Programme, total of 106 scholarships were

awarded, of which 55 to men and 51 to women. Within the RHSP Programme – medicine students,

total of 38 scholarships were awarded, of which 12 to men, and 26 to women. Total of scholarships

awarded by both Programmes is 144, of which 77 to women.

In the academic year 2015/2016, through the RMUSP Programme, total of 113 scholarships were

awarded, of which 61 to men and 52 to women. Within the RHSP Programme – medicine students,

total of 23 scholarships were awarded, of which 4 to men and 19 to women. Total of scholarships

awarded by both Programmes is 136, of which 71 to women20.

Total of scholarships awarded by REF in the academic years 2011/2012 - 2015/2016 is 774, of

which 431 women have been awarded scholarships. According to the number of Roma students

that were awarded scholarships, one may conclude that a great number of enrolled have been

receiving scholarships, which is an extra motive for enrolment of higher number of Roma students

in the public and private faculties. In comparison, the number of enrolled in the academic year

2011/2012 total of 216 enrolled, of which 110 were women, and 181 scholarships were provided,

of which 100 to women. This fact clearly indicates that 70% of the total enrolled students have

been awarded scholarships, which is not an insignificant number at all. Nevertheless, when

comparing the total of students that received scholarship and the number of graduated – the

proportion is very low. The scholarships are of great importance for the Roma community to ensure

20 Roma Education Fund http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/scholarship-beneficiaries(пристапени февруари 2016)

18

higher number of enrolled and graduated Roma. Thanks to the scholarships, today we have this

number of graduated Roma and we hope that we won’t stop here, moreover, we expect that the

number shall increase from year to year.

4. The opinion of the Roma students

The European Center for Minority issues (ECMI) has conducted a research concerning the status

of the Roma students in the higher education in 2005. According to the data gathered during the

project, it was noted that the students are asked to tell their ethnicity when doing the exams, which

for the students is thought to be a discriminatory. 69% of the total number of respondents said that

in their presence have heard some of their colleagues using the term “gipsy thing” The conclusion

is that the non-Roma students accept their Roma colleagues but they still have stereotypes and

prejudice towards Roma students, which is ground for discriminatory acting.21.

In conclusion can be summarized that the Roma students in the higher education have feeling of

discrimination against them and are considering themselves as an ethnic minority which in

Republic of Macedonia is discriminated the most, which is one of the reason why they decide not

to go to university.

21 European Center for Minority issues (ECMI)„ Roma people for integration: Analysis and Recommendations”

“http://www.ecmi.de/fileadmin/downloads/publications/Monographs/monograph_3_mac.pdf pg. 49-62 from 2005 ( accessed in February 2016)

19

III. Graduated Roma students per year in the period 2007-2014

In 20072223 total of 13 Roma students graduated, 7 of which are women and 6 are men. Highest

number of graduates was noted at the Faculty of Pedagogy of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University

Skopje – total of 5 students, of which 3 are women.

In 200824 total of 30 Roma students graduated, 16 of which are women and 14 are men. Hence, the

number of graduates was increased, compared to previous year, by 17 graduates, while the number

of women graduates was increased by 7, compared to previous year. Highest number of Roma

graduates is noted at the Faculty of Philosophy Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje with

total of 8 graduates, of which 3 are women.

22 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2007, 2008http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=201 (accessed in November 23 ) 24 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2008, 2010http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=199(Accessed in

November 2015)

0

5

Total Wome

Graduated Roma students in

2007

Pedagogical faculty Philological faculty Faculty of Philosophy

Medical Faculty Faculty of Law

0

2

4

6

8

Total Women

Graduated Roma students

In 2008

Faculty of Philosophy Pedagogical Faculty Philological faculty

Faculty of Law Medical Faculty

20

In 200925 total of 28 Roma students graduated, of which 17 are women and 11 are men. In this

academic year, the total number of graduated Roma, compared to previous year was decreased by

2, whilst the number of graduated Roma women is increasing. The highest number has graduated

at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius Skopje with total of 5

graduates, of which 4 women and 1 man.

In 201026 total of 35 Roma students graduated, of which 20 women and 15 men, with the difference

that this year the number of graduated Roma increases by 7 compared to previous year and the

number of graduated women reaches 3. The greatest number of graduated Roma may be found at

the Faculty of Public Administration and Political Sciences at the SEEU Tetovo with total number

of 8 students, of which 3 women and 5 men.

25 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2009,2010 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=302 (Accessed in November 2015) 26 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2010, 2011 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=273(accessed in

November 2015)

0

1

2

3

4

5

Total Wome

Graduated Roma students

in 2009

Faculty of Philosophy Medical Faculty Faculty of Economics

Philological faculty Faculty of Law Pedagogical Faculty

0

10

Total Wome

Graduated Roma students

in 2010

Faculty of Public Administration and Political Science - SEEU Tetovo Faculty of Philosophy Medical Faculty Faculty of Economics Faculty of Low Philological faculty

21

In 201127 total of 22 Roma students have graduated, of which 11 women and 11 men. This

academic year the number of graduates has decreased compared to previous year, by 13 students.

Highest number of graduated Roma students in this academic year was noted at the Faculty of

Philosophy with total of 3 students out of which 2 are women and 1 is man and at the Faculty of

Dramatic Art at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, with total of 3 graduates out of

which 2 are men and 1 is women.

In 201228 total of 39 Roma students have graduated, of which 18 women and 21 men, unlike

previous academic year, there is an increase in total number of graduates by 17, and the number of

women graduates has risen by 7. Highest number of graduated Roma is noted at the Faculty of

Philosophy of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, with total of 10 graduates, of which

6 women and 4 men.

In 20132930 total of 26 Roma students have graduated, of which 13 women and 13 men. Another

decrease is noted by 13 of the total number of graduates, and the number of graduated women

decreases by 5. Highest number of graduated Roma is noted at the Faculty of Economy of Ss. Cyril

and Methodius University in Skopje, of which 3 are women.

27 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2011, 2012 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=363(accessed in

November 2015) 28 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2012, 2015 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=578 (accessed

in November 2015) 29 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2013, 2015 http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=582(accessed in November 30 )

0

5

10

Total Wome

Graduated Roma students

2012

Faculty of Philosophy Faculty of Economics

Medical Faculty Philological faculty

22

In 201429 total of 32 Roma students have graduated, of which 15 women and 17 men. In this

academic year, the number of graduates has increased by 6 and the number of women has

decreased by 2. Highest number of graduated Roma is noted at the Faculty of Philosophy of Ss.

Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, with total number of 5 and all of them are women.

29 State Statistical Office, Graduated students 2014, 2015http://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziPublikacija.aspx?id=37&rbr=606(accessed in January 2016)

0

2

4

Total Wome

Graduated Roma students

2013

Medical Faculty

Faculty of Economics

Faculty of Philosophy

High School of Journalism and Public Relations

Faculty of Medical Sciences

0

5

10

Total Women

Graduated Roma students

In 2014

Faculty of Philosophy

Law Faculty Kochani

Faculty of Medicine

Higher school for journalism and public relations

23

3.1 Comparison of graduated Roma students per year

If we compare per year the total number of male and female graduates, we may see that the highest

number of graduated Roma students are noted in 2012 with even 39, followed by 2014 with 32

and 30 graduated Roma in 2008. Depending on the years, increases and decreases are noted, which

may be seen from the table below:

Total number of Roma as per gender 117 men and 108 women, that is, total of 225 Roma have

graduated in the country in the period from 2007 to 2014. The number of 117 graduated Roma

women indicates that the Roma Decade managed to motivate more girls/women to enrol, graduate

and obtain university degree. This leads to the fact that the prejudices were defeated towards them

as women originating from the Roma community, abandoning own education and entering into

early marriages. The survey somehow proves that rather more Roma women keep following

education, compared to Roma men.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

man

wome

Total

Total number of g raduated man and women from

2007 to 2014

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

24

IV. Total number of enrolled and graduated Roma students

If we compare the percentage of Roma that have enrolled at the faculties from 2004 to 2014 and

how many of them have graduated in the period from 2007 to 2014, we may note that total number

of enrolled Roma is 1.931, of which 983 men and 948 women. Regarding the graduated Roma,

compared to enrolled, the proportion is much lower – 225 graduated Roma, of which 108 men and

117 women. Question is posed – Where the problem stands with the low number of graduated

Roma in relation to enrolled? This is a question we presently cannot provide answer to.

Total number of graduated Roma

In the period: 2007 - 2014

man women

89 %

11 %

Total number of enrolled and graduated Roma students

enrolled graduated

25

Illustration of successfully enrolled and graduated Roma, divided by gender may be seen in the

chart below31:

31 More information for the number of enrolled and graduated Roma students can be found on the following link:

http://ihr.org.mk/uploads/publications_pdf/istrazuvanje_dekada.pdf

Total number of enrolled and graduated students

According gender

enrolled man women graduated man women

26

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions

From the publications made available by the State Statistical Office for the period 2004-2007, not

all faculties in RM have been covered, which causes lack of overall data on enrolled and graduated

Roma in public and private faculties in the country.

The right to attend studies in native language, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is insufficiently

applied for Roma students, as they are not given possibility to learn own native language through

an elective course Roma language.

The number of Roma students has been growing from year to year when it comes to enrolment in

public and private faculties.

Higher is the number of enrolled male Roma students compared to female Roma students.

In the period 2004-2014, the number of enrolled Roma students at the Faculty of Pedagogy was

the highest with total of 103 students.

Lower interest was shown for enrolment of Roma students for technical sciences, compared to

increased interest in social sciences.

The data published infer the fact that the majority Roma students have received scholarships.

There is a great difference between the number of enrolled and the number of graduated Roma

students.

Higher is the number of graduated Roma female students than the number of graduated Roma male

students, compared to enrolled Roma male students and Roma female students.

The prejudices that Roma girls are getting married early and are not completing their education are

denied by the fact that the number has increased of enrolled and graduated Roma women in the

faculties in RM.

27

Recommendations

The State Statistical Office should regularly and timely share publications on their website related

to higher education in the country.

The number of teachers for preschool education – educators, and primary school education teachers

should be increased, to achieve higher inclusion of Roma children in the education system.

Public and private faculties should update their websites, to obtain full data of enrolled and

graduated Roma at the faculties on annual basis.

Competent institutions should keep on implementing the commenced activities implemented for

higher education, under the Roma Strategy in RM.

Scholarships should be also granted in the future to Roma students, so that the number is higher of

enrolled Roma in public and private faculties in RM.

Undertaking affirmative measures for elective course in Roma language in higher education, to

study Roma language and literature as regular subject for Roma students in primary and secondary

school education.

Introduction of motivational mechanisms of Roma students receiving scholarships by REF, aiming

at increasing the number of graduated Roma.

Increase the number of graduated Roma at the Faculty of Pedagogy as most essential teaching staff

in the Roma community, to improve their education.