SPECIFIC CHALLENGES CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF ROMA STUDENTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PEDAGOGICAL PROFESSIONALS

Background: The article focuses on selected specific challenges found in the family and school environment, that influence the upbringing and education of Roma children. Also mentioned are aspects of multicultural education that can assist in the education of Roma students. Methods: The aim was to gather the opinions of pedagogical staff on the integration and education of children from the Roma ethnicity (from disadvantaged backgrounds). The research was conducted using a quantitative methodology, and a questionnaire of original bespoke design as a data collection tool. A total of 92 respondents, pedagogical professionals with experience of working with Roma students for more than 10 years, participated in the study in the districts of Poprad and Kezmarok, Slovakia. Results: The research results showed that, according to the experience of pedagogical professionals, the most significant parenting issues among Roma parents is neglect of the child. Additionally, findings revealed the role of an assistant in primary school environments to be indispensable when working with Roma students. Conclusion: Further research could be of interest in the field of upbringing and education of Roma students. These areas can often be found to be on the periphery of interest in the greater majority of Roma families. There appears to be a lack of emphasis on preparing their children for entry into society and subsequent integration into future life, which would include within the educational sphere.