Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog testified in front of the Nyíregyháza Court with relation ot the case of the Miklós Sója Kindergarten and Elementary School, run by the Greek Catholic Church. The Chance for Children Foundation (CFCF) has sued both the local government and the church, demanding closure of the institution that, according to CFCF, segregates Roma children.
The Miklós Sója Kindergarten and Elementary School was opened in 2011, after the Greek Catholic Church took over the school. The institution was reopened with the concept of offering high quality education to children living in the Roma-inhabited Huszár estate, in deep poverty. Currently, there are 10 teachers working with 35 children, developing learning programs for each pupil individually. The school has reached several important goals that many other institutions struggle to achieve, such as having every student attend classes, and maintaining good day-to-day teacher-parent relations. The institution is open to Roma as well as non-Roma students. The families who live in the Huszár estate support the school and the opportunity to send their children there. The students are able to study in a loving, accepting and open atmosphere, close to their families.
However, CFCF has accused the school of segregating Roma children and hindering their integration into society. Minister Balog has put forward a detailed proposal on settling the dispute, stating that the Ministry of Human Resources will provide all necessary preconditions on their part. CFCF’s work is often helpful in other cases, but at the moment they are hindering the work begun by the church, he added.
The Hungarian Government condemns all forms of segregation. It is important however to differentiate between integration and segregation. This school in the Huszár estate offers a solution to a special problem, which in international terms can best be compared to the Harlem Children’s Zone. After having personally verified the institution’s successful functioning, the Minister decided to testify on the side of the local government and the Greek Catholic Church.
The ambassadors of Israel and the United States have both recently visited the institution to learn about its integrated education programme, which is helping Roma children enter secondary education with the same opportunities as their non-Roma companions. After meeting the children, Ambassador Ilan Mor acknowledged the work of the Greek Catholic Church and offered his assistance.
Following today’s hearing and Minister Balog’s statement, the parties have reached an agreement resulting in the Court suspending the trial for six months. During this period, the parties will have the opportunity to reach a consensus on the issue.
(Ministry of Human Resources)
