Training centre for Roma minority to be set up in Greater Helsinki area

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The Järvenpää Institute for Religious Education and the Helsinki Diakonia College have joined forces to set up a special education centre for the Roma population in the Greater Helsinki area.
      The aim is to gradually expand the training programme for the Roma, through networking with other educational units.
     At the same time, individuals who are willing will also be encouraged to send applications to other institutes they have interest in. The purpose of the project is to join forces and to share know-how.
     
An underlying factor is the awakening to the fact that many Roma still do not get any vocational training.
     One of the reasons for this is that Roma families do not always encourage the younger generation to study.
     Women easily stay at home after they are married. In addition, strong prejudices still exist both among students and teachers.
     Roma students often need guidance relating to learning and self-management skills.
     
The two institutes setting up the training centre for the Roma have several years’ experience in the organising of vocational training for special groups.
     The Roma, as well as other special groups, including immigrants and students with disabilities, frequently need to refresh their basic studies before they can start vocational training.
     Soraja Berg and Marusia Valjanen who intend to start training at the Helsinki Diakonia College to become practical nurses said on Thursday that they had began a 100-day ”preparation course” in February in order to brush up the basic subjects of comprehensive school, while they are also preparing for vocational training.
     The ladies were excited about the course, even though both had already studied in other vocational colleges before.
     ”The best thing about studying is that one has to learn to know oneself first, when it comes to attitudes and work motivation, for example”, says Soraja Berg.
     ”Yet I often wonder who is educating whom”, said Rector Anna-Liisa Launiainen of the Helsinki Diakonia College.
     
According to the Advisory Board on Romani Affairs, the Roma in Finland number about 10,000. The figure is just an estimate, as no statistics based on the ethnic origin exist.
     The state authorities have attempted to improve the education and social status of the Roma minority since the 1970s.
     Vocational training focusing especially on Roma students has been organised since 1979.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Discrimination against Roma leaves Pori residents astonished (7.6.2006)

Links:
  Helsinki Diakonia College
  Advisory Board on Romani Affairs

Helsingin Sanomat