Travellers see education as way to beat discrimination

THE few members of the Traveller community who make it to third-level college see education as the way to beat discrimination, a study of Travellers in higher education has found.

The report by the Learner Support Unit at Mary Immaculate College was launched in Limerick yesterday. Funded by the Higher Education Authority, it involved detailed interviews with 12 Travellers who made it to third-level education.

Only 1% of Travellers complete third-level education, according to the latest figures.

In the academic year 2002/2003 there were 5,500 Traveller children in primary schools of which 62 had progressed to sixth year secondary school and 16 into third level.

Interviews carried out by James Binchy and Caroline Healy from Mary Immaculate College came up with a number of key findings:

Travellers felt education had become more important because the economy is changing and in the ‘knowledge economy’ more education and skills were needed to survive.

Travellers felt that a better education would help them to speak out against issues such as discrimination which they said they noticed not just from pupils, but also teachers in schools.

Some admitted to finding it easier not to identify themselves as Travellers in schools, as they were afraid of not being accepted.

However, this seemed to change in third level for some Traveller students. One said: “In third level I think people are bigger, they’re older and they’re wiser. So I don’t think Travellers face as much discrimination as they would when they’re younger.”

James Binchy said: “As well as collating the views of the 12 Traveller students on their experiences of third-level education, the study also revises existing policy documentation on Traveller education provision.”

Recommendations from the study include setting up gateway bridging programmes for mature Traveller students and the development of more innovative approaches.

It also recommends encouraging adult education courses for Travellers and setting performance targets for Traveller participation in third level.

The Learner Support Unit at Mary Immaculate College promotes access for mature students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.