Building a future for Roma children
Rising numbers of Roma immigrants has swelled the population of Govanhill by 4,000 in just four years.
CATRIONA STEWART looks at the work being done to help the families become part of the local community…
At Annette Street Primary School the teachers work overtime to make sure every child has the best possible education.
More than 10 languages are spoken and the staff have had to cope with an influx of more than 115 new Roma pupils.
Headteacher Sheila Taylor says pupils have welcomed their new classmates – and the primary is making huge steps to help them adjust to life in Govanhill.
Sheila said: “About five years ago we started getting children from Slovakia in little groups but four years ago we took 30 children in one week.
“There were no schools for us to contact to ask about their education levels because they hadn’t been at school. All the class teachers were brilliant and rose to the challenge.”
From three pupils, the number of Roma children has swelled to 50% of the school’s 234 pupils. At first, Annette Street Primary brought in interpreters to chat to parents at breakfast clubs before classes. Later two temporary staff were hired; an Additional Language teacher and a Slovak support worker.
Sheila, who is due to retire at Christmas after 22 years at the school, says the first challenge was boosting attendance.
