Is the glass ceiling inaccessible? The educational situation of Roma youth in Hungary

Abstract

After the turn of the millennium, European studies unanimously noted that there are significant differences between Roma and non-Roma students at all levels of education. In the last two decades of educational policy in Hungary, elements aimed at inclusion and maintaining selectivity have been mixed together. In our cross-sectional study, we present the situation of young Roma people in the educational system of Hungary in 2016. In addition to outlining the overall picture (employment and education), we also look at softer indicators, such as the educational plans and motivations of Roma youth. We use the Hungarian Youth Research 2016 database (respondents aged between 15 and 29), including Roma or dual identity youth (N=328). The probability sample of 8000 persons is representative for age, district and type of settlement (N=8000). Our results have shown that inequalities are climbing upwards. While inclusion and catching-up with non-Roma students can be detected in primary and secondary vocational education (i.e., without the baccalaureate), there is a significant gap in terms of obtaining a baccalaureate and entering tertiary education. Studying attitudes related to learning points to the fact that young Roma people have begun to see education as a value in Hungary, but at the same time they are confronted with a lack of opportunities.