The school attendance rate among Roma children increased during the last few years, but insignificantly. Not many of the Roma children finish the secondary or high school. The number of those who obtain higher education is even lower. School abandonment persists in many settlements, while the illiteracy rate is still high. The findings were presented in a national conference that assessed the implementation of the 2011-2015 plan of action for supporting the Romany people in Moldova, IPN reports.

Attending the event, UNICEF Representative in Moldova Nune Mangasaryan said that many results were achieved during these years, but the low school attendance rate is one of the problems faced by the Roma community and a lot of work is to be done in this regard to ensure education opportunities.

The official noted that the school attendance rate among Roma children is two times lower. Therefore, this category of children needs increased attention and additional support mechanisms. Both the authorities and society must join efforts to provide support and ensure access to opportunities. Wok should be also done with the families. These children need to have their potential promoted because they are very talented.

The head of the National Roma Center, expert Nicolae Radita said that among the problems is also the lack of community mediators in mayor’s offices who will provide assistance to Romanies. The existing mediators proved their efficiency. Progress was made in those settlements. More persons obtained identity cards and became recipients of social support and beneficiaries of medical services there. But these mediators have a low salary and the local public authorities maintain they are short of funds.

At national level, the number of Romanies who have identity cards and health policies is low. The Roma population also faces serious difficulties in registering the property and acquiring dwellings. Another problem is the fact that not many Romanies take part in decision-making. Nicolae Radita believes the

2011-2015 plan of action for supporting the Romany people in Moldova should be extended until 2020.