Preschools focus on Roma inclusion

Since the beginning of the year, a special effort for Roma children has been ongoing in the preschools of Trollhättan. This is said to aim at strengthening their language and identity.

The effort consists of educator Eleonora Thornvall working exclusively with the Roma children. She rotates between three different preschools – Blåvingens, Citronfjärilens, and Spiltans preschools – and aims to strengthen the children’s Swedish and Romani chib, one of Sweden’s national minority languages, as well as increase their language comprehension.

Thornvall has roots in Macedonia and Croatia.

“Most Roma children that I meet have origins in Serbia, a few in other countries. They and their parents need to relate to their Swedish, Serbian, and Roma identity. The same goes for the language. I can really relate to the confusion one can experience,” she says.

Thornvall is also supposed to act as a bridge between the preschool and the home, which is hoped to increase the attendance of the target group in preschool.

“Sometimes language can be a barrier. Not all parents are very good at Swedish. Then I’m there, and can explain in a different way,” she tells public television.

Trollhättan has received funding from the state to develop the municipality’s work according to minority legislation and strengthen Roma inclusion. The purpose is, among other things, to counteract “antiziganism.”

Unique education

More efforts for Roma children are also made outside Trollhättan. A new preschool teacher education with a focus on national minorities and Romani chib will start at Södertörn University in the fall.

The education is supposed to be the first of its kind not only in Sweden but perhaps in the world. The goal is, among other things, to preserve endangered languages for future generations.

“This is a way to contribute to even the Roma children, as well as other children, receiving a kind of recognition. It’s okay to speak your language, even in a preschool,” said Domino Kai, who is the mission coordinator for the education, to SVT News Stockholm earlier this summer.

Poor interest

Last summer, public television reported that the interest in the new education was low. Not even ten people had applied for the course as their first choice.

“Of course, you always wish for a lot of applicants, but I can’t say that I’m disappointed,” says Anna Lindqvist at Södertörn University.

According to the County Administrative Board, municipalities can apply for state aid to promote Roma inclusion. The grant is supposed to provide municipalities with better conditions to work on promoting Roma inclusion and enable Roma people to participate on equal terms as others in society.