The Rroma and education: a historical introduction to and a critical comparison of current educational provision for the Rroma in Poland and the United Kingdom

This thesis seeks to provide an historical introduction to and a critical comparison of current educational provision for the Rroma in Poland and the United Kingdom. Differing accounts of the history of the Rroma are presented and a number of hypotheses regarding the origins of the Rromani and of their migrations to Europe are proposed. A historical summary reveals the background to the current situation of national minorities in Poland and travelling groups in the United Kingdom and the attitudes of settled communities towards the Rroma in both countries. The problem of the racist attacks on the Rroma in Europe which began in the early 1990s is also investigated. In addition, statistical estimates of Rromani populations are given, and the role and importance of Rromani organisations are examined. [Continues.]