Travellers hide their identity in workplace and school

TRAVELLERS are hiding their identity from fellow students and work colleagues because of perceived stigma about their culture, according to research about their educational experiences.

More than 80% of Traveller students leave the school system before the end of second level, and only 102 completed the Leaving Certificate in 2008 out of a total Traveller population of more than 22,000.

The study by Dr Niamh Hourigan of University College Cork’s sociology department and Maria Campbell of St Angela’s College of Education in Sligo identified numerous obstacles to Travellers progressing through the education system.