ZAGREB: ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION HELD TO MARK WORLD ROMANY DAY

ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - Education is the only way to solve problems affecting the Romany in Croatia, it was stated at a round table discussion held in Zagreb on Tuesday on the occasion of World Roma Day, April 8. #L# World Roma Day has been marked since 1971, when the Romany held their first world congress in London, at which they adopted the Romany flag and anthem. The most serious problem affecting the Romany population is illiteracy and poor education, said an advisor to the Education and Sports Minister, Jadranka Huljev. She added that most Romany children attended school up to the fifth grade only, while only a low percentage completed primary education. "Although the situation has improved and the number of children attending school increased from 350 to 2,000 in the past two years, illiteracy is still the fundamental problem," Huljev said. Of the 15 Romany who last year enrolled in universities, only five made it to the second year, Huljev said, adding that Romany parents should be educated about the need to send their children to school. Participants in the debate called for unity in the Romany community with the aim of facilitating the solution of problems and improving their position in the Croatian society. (hina) rml sb