Czech social studies high school for Romanies a success

The social and legal studies high school that was opened in Sokolov six months ago operates without problems and initial fears that it will not have a sufficient number of students to attend regular classes have not come true, school deputy headmistress Marta Bandyova told CTK today.

Of the original 58 students admitted for daily studies 45 have remained at the school, she said.

The school that was established mainly for students from Romany and socially-weak families plans to expand its premises to include other classes. It now has only two classes.

"However, we have received 20 applications for next year and it seems that the interest in our school will remain," Bandyova said.

That only 20 percent of the originally admitted 58 students have left the school is a success, she said.

"They were children who did not have any interest in studying. It seems that we will have to be more attentive while selecting new students," Bandyova said.

However, apart from the lack of interest there were also other reasons why many children left. Students practically from the entire Karlovy Vary region attend the school and many of them had problems with transport, she said.

The high school corresponding courses were also a success since 93 out of the originally admitted 124 students continue with their studies, Bandyova said.

The school that trains Romany assistants and social workers for non-profit organisations plans to start students’ visits to social institutions in its vicinity. It has agreed on such visits with the centre for mentally disabled young people Sokolik ("Little Falcon") and also intends to send its students for practice to other social institutions, Bandyova said.