As a result of the EU-Delegation supported project Introducing Roma language with elements of national culture into elementary schools in Serbia, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia approved the introduction of new elementary school textbooks in Romani into the minority languages textbooks official catalogue for the next school year.
The textbooks were written during the project and will be used by 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade pupils.
This marks the first time that elementary school textbooks in Romani are published, not only in Serbia, but the entire region.
Introducing the Romani language into elementary education in Serbia is of tremendous importance for both the Roma community and EU integration process of the country, as it forms part of the chapter 23 obligations. The project – funded and supported by the EU – is one of the most important Roma inclusion-related projects ever to be implemented in Serbia.
The EUR158,600 worth project ran for 20 months and was brought to an end in November 2017. The EU’s contribution to the programme amounted to EUR134,800.
The objective of the project was to improve and develop school curricula aimed at children and the youth interested in learning Romani language.
Besides, the project was aimed at empowering, educating and enabling teachers to receive certificates for the school subject Romani language with elements of national culture and encourage their engagement in schools which have the necessary conditions to teach the subject.
A total of 47 teachers and pedagogical assistants have received certificates, after undergoing training provided in cooperation with the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade.
This action was part of the project EU Support for Inclusive Society funded by the EU with EUR5,4 million and implemented by the EU Delegation to Serbia in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of Serbia.
