Around 30,000 children living in poverty-stricken areas: government official

Around 30,000 children, mostly Romanies, are living in socially excluded localities across the Czech Republic, the head of the government agency for social inclusion, Martin Šimáček, said on Thursday. These children are more likely to be segregated in “special schools” or end up in institutional care. The practice of placing Romany children in schools originally intended for children with disabilities has been criticized by the EU and other bodies. Experts also blame the Czech Education ministry for failing to provide support for children from these poverty-stricken areas.

Author: Jan Richter