ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The Croatian government stated on Thursday that the beginning of this school year had been marked by two problems which stretch wider than the educational process and whose solving requires the attention of
the entire society.
ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The Croatian government stated on Thursday
that the beginning of this school year had been marked by two
problems which stretch wider than the educational process and whose
solving requires the attention of the entire society. #L#
These two problems, the education of Romany children in Drzimurec
and of a HIV-positive girl in Kastel Novi, pose the question of
society's attitude towards national, cultural, sexual and other
minorities, the government concluded.
With regard to the education of Romany children, Prime Minister
Ivica Racan said the issue were not the differences in the pre-
school education of the Romany and other children but how to reduce
them. The question is what will be done to improve the situation for
next year, including to reduce prejudices against HIV-positive
persons, especially children, he said.
These issues are a test for both the government and society, Racan
stated.
Education and Sports Minister Vladimir Strugar said that in the
case of the Drzimurec school, where the majority of pupils are
Romany, his ministry had consented to the formation of classes
according to pre-school knowledge and not nationality.
In the long term, the progress of Romany children will be monitored
so that they might be included in advanced classes, the minister
said, adding that Romany assistants would also be employed in such
schools.
Strugar said the Education Ministry approved of including the HIV-
positive girl Ela in regular classes. Ela will not be deprived
educationally but socially, he warned in connection with the fact
that other pupils' parents bar one refused to have Ela attend
classes with their children.
The government said that much had to be done to inform and educate
about AIDS and the HIV-positive.
Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic cautioned about
the consequences of the media ballyhoo regarding Ela's case. He
recalled that six HIV-positive children are included in regular
classes.
(hina) ha