Now in Belarus exams are going. Young people passing exams to receive higher education. All exams process is controlling by the State commission with a Mr. Anatolii Rubinov as a chairperson. Commission which is control exams process, created a long time before in order to maintain exams process in law frames, to provide student with a chance to fulfill their right for education as current constitution says etc…
Belarusian Roma young people also long for higher education and this interest is raising day by day. Education has become quite popular among Roma in Belarus. Sure, it’s just a little pace but every river is beginning from small brook. Regime of Lukashenka is doing everything to deprive, to marginalize Roma people. This discrimination aimed exactly against Roma and looks alike that is official Belarusian policy. Lukashenka lies to everyone. Even when it’s senseless and needles to lie, even in this case, Lukashenka lies. Despite of discrimination, deprivation Roma youth in Belarus interesting in foreign languages, studies, computers…
I’ve noticed that total percentages of Roma students in Belarus are getting their studies in private educational systems. By means of information from various origins, I noticed that usually it’s impossible for Roma youth to study in government state educational institutes or universities. When Roma girl is going to apply for higher education examination board says that you are Roma, tomorrow or day after tomorrow you are going to get married and then you will cancel your studies and we will lost time and place. That’s the answer from Belarusian government. So, for Roma girl’s higher education is far more problematic than for males. In majority of cases examination commission doesn’t want even to accept application form from Roma. Its very easy to explain, because study in state institution means that government would pay for your studies. In private education system means that you are obliged to pay by your own. Some young people cant find support for their studies. Due to current law, Roma people have a right to study using state budget funds. It’s a law, mandatory for every university.
In order to stop discrimination against Roma in respect of educational rights, I sent letter to Mr. Anatolii Rubinov where asked him to pay more attention for Roma student, who are going to have their studies in the state educational system and to react up to date when violations are detained. Now it’s precise time of exams when our joint effort can be fruitful.
Kalinin Nicolas
Delegate in European Roma Travelers Forum
Member in Federation of European Roma Young People
15.06.2009
Minsk
