SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD
WITH PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL
- discrimination from teachers and other students
- bullying from other students
- pressure on our child during their exams
- lack of support from the school towards Traveller students.
- Where we live – if the site or accommodation we live in is far from the school and there is no public transport (buses) available it can be difficult to get our children to get to school.
- If our family members went/go to school and the support they can give us – sometimes if family members did not go to school they cannot always help us or give advice when we are facing problems with the school.
- Family influence – sometimes family members may not see the value in education or staying in school and be unsupportive when we encourage our children to stay in school.
- Friends influence – if other Travellers that our children hang around leave school early, this can influence our children’s view on staying in school and make it harder for us to encourage our children to stay in school.
- Bullying – as we know, Traveller children do experience bullying for being Travellers and this can make our children feel like they want to leave school early.
- Lack of understanding from or support from teachers – some teachers are great but some young Travellers do have some poor experiences with teachers who do not understand our identity and culture as Travellers and treat our children differently or discriminate against our children.
1
You may have had a bad experience in school. Many of us Traveller parents remember discrimination in school where we were taken out of class to be washed or segregated from the other children in school. While we may have some bad memories we need to try to remember that not all schools or teachers are the same and that times have changed.
2
Try to communicate with the school and see them as an ally for you and your child – they are there to support us. If you are finding it hard to communicate with the school there are other supports available as well. We know sometimes teachers and schools can be difficult to deal with around issues related to bullying, racism or lack of understanding of Traveller culture but there is support available.
3
Focus on what your child wants for their life and education. Try to ignore pressure from family and other Travellers around early school leaving.
4
5
Contact the school or teacher – get to know them and explain what your worries are and ask for support and advice. Ask local Traveller organisations if there are other educational supports available
6
Try to build a positive relationship with the school and go to all the meetings they organise.
7
If you are worried about bullying or discrimination raise this with the school and teacher.
8
Remember you and your child have rights. Never be afraid to tell the teacher how you are feeling or to contact Traveller organisations for support and advice.
9
10
You can also link in with Traveller Education projects in your area.
Your local Traveller project can help you to link in with these projects and to link in with the school.
YOU CAN ALWAYS LINK
IN WITH YOUR LOCAL TRAVELLER ORGANISATION OR TRAVELLER PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROJECT.
They can link you in with Traveller Education projects in your area
CONTACT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL OR TEACHER
