They announced an increase in the cooperation between Correctional Services staff and the Roma population and a revision of the Primary School Act.

The Government is developing a number of measures to address Roma issues. Among other things, the Ministry of Labour announced the opening of several multifunctional Roma centres, the creation of 130 new jobs in some social work centres and the opening of three day-care centres for children from the Roma community. The Ministry of Education announced several changes to the Primary School Act.

Secretary of State, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Igor Feketia stated that they plan to open several multifunctional Roma centres, for which they will allocate more funds than such centres already operated in the past, and also plan to open several multigenerational centres.

The social work center working with the Roma community on site will be strengthened with the addition of 30 employees. As part of the European project, the social work center will receive an additional hundred employees. In addition, they plan to set up three day centers for children from the Roma community. “I believe all this is necessary to work in this area,” he said in a statement to the media.

They got married early

He also responded to calls to pay part of social transfers in kind. According to him, this is already possible in some cases through agreements between professionals and users. “We do not agree to turn social work and social transfer centers into repressive institutions and instruments of punishment,” Fiketia stressed.

“We need to realize that we have an effective system of social transfers,” he stressed. He believes that the claim that high social transfers undermine work incentives is a myth. However, he announced that they will respond to individual reform proposals in this area in early September.

About a year ago, a working group including representatives of the Roma community, municipalities and NGOs began working at the ministry. Living conditions were also highlighted as an area that needed more attention. “It is probably understandable that a child born in a hut without electricity, water and sewage would find it difficult to complete primary school,” he said.

The multigenerational center will open. Symbolic photo. Photo: Pojbič Joze

Recently, the leadership team of the Ministry of Public Security has also found problems in the field of juvenile delinquency, “some minors have even become tools of criminal behavior.” They also saw domestic violence and violence against women, including early marriage.

Changes in primary schools

The Ministry of Education announced several changes to the Primary School Act. Director of the Bureau of Preschool and Primary Education Rado Kostrevke In a statement to the media, the school said they wanted to change the main part of the law that determines the attendance of students. He said: “This means that we will regulate more precisely the reasons for absence and how we regulate the role of parents if they do not respond to the school’s request to make a statement about the absence.”

He also announced more precise definitions of the use of mobile phones, smart watches and other electronic devices in schools. They will also regulate the inspection of students’ personal belongings at school. “In the process, we will define exactly how, who and where the inspections take place,” he said. Now this area is regulated by a legal text that defines the commitment of schools to provide a safe and stimulating learning environment.

On Thursday, the Minister of Justice will discuss Roma issues with representatives of the Ministry of Interior Andrea Katic and Secretary of State Andrea Coccari exist Milan BuglezziA statement to the media is also planned after the meeting.