Romani children are disproportionately overrepresented in special schools and special classes in Slovakia. Many Romani children of school age are diagnosed with developmental disabilities (mental retardation/disability) and are enrolled in special schools and special classes purely on the basis of the testing mechanisms that are usually completely inadequate. Continued placement of Romani children in these schools amounts to de facto segregation and has adverse consequences for the socio-political, economic, and cultural development of the Romani community. REF’s study on special schools in Slovakia argues that the specials schools are decreasing the ability of children in the future to contribute effectively to socio-political, economic and cultural development of their country. The study aims at demonstrating that the system of special schools is not cost effective and that the return both to economy and society would be much higher if the money was invested into education.

UNICEF, European Social Observatory. [2011] Preventing Social Exclusion through the Europe 2020 Strategy: Early Childhood Development and the Inclusion of Roma Families Friedman, Eben; Gallová Kriglerová, Elena; Kubánová, Martina; Slosiarik, Martin.[2009] SCHOOL AS GHETTO: Systemic Overrepresentation of Roma in Special Education in Slovakia. Schacter, J., & Thum, Y. M. [2004]. Paying for high- and low-quality teaching. Economics of Education Review, 23(4), 411–430. doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2003.08.002