Responsible Management and Challenges of Inclusion in Multicultural School Environment in Slovenia

Abstract

Education is a vital part of any social cohesion agenda because educational outcomes affect all dimensions of the social cohesion triangle (social inclusion – social capital – social mobility). In this paper, we are focusing on the integration of Roma and migrant children in schools and the activation of youth to help as volunteers. Although diversity is an opportunity to make schools more inclusive, creative and open-minded, inequality in education is highest among Roma and migrant children. Europe needs more efficient, but at the same time more inclusive and equitable education systems. In this respect, responsible school management has a key role in adapting learning environment to the specific mix of students and making it more inclusive.

In the research part, we provide an evaluation of the seminars delivered in Slovenia (RoMigSc project). Almost three fourths of the respondents reported previous experience with specific methods of integrating Roma and migrant children into the learning environment. Most of the participants were teachers, school counsellors, social workers, public administrators and civil society activists /volunteers. Nearly half of them include volunteers in their activities. For the participants, the most valuable element of the seminars was the exchange of experience. They learned lessons which they liked the most, related to building social network with the inclusion of different levels of society and transfer of experience. As major suggestions for improvements of seminars, the participants listed more case studies and discussions.