Rhineland-Palatinate official reports Sinti and Roma discrimination in schools

Michael Hartmann, the Antiziganism Commissioner for Rhineland-Palatinate, has reported frequent discrimination and stigmatization of Sinti and Roma children within the school system. Hartmann noted that many teachers lack sufficient knowledge regarding these minority groups, which contributes to the exclusion of students from these communities.

To combat this, Hartmann is calling for the integration of Sinti and Roma history and social dynamics into teacher training and professional development. He intends to discuss these measures with the state's Minister of Education, Ute Eiling-Hütig.

With approximately 10,000 Sinti and Roma living in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hartmann emphasized the need to systematically address both the historical persecution during the Nazi era and the ‘second persecution’ that occurred after 1945, which often resulted in survivors being marginalized and stigmatized.