A slow progress?

Authorities admit there is still a long way to go but stress they are making progress.

Gheorghe Sarau from the Education Ministry said there were 129,000 Roma children registered in schools in 1990 and the figure has since risen to 260,000.

Some 650 mediators like Stoica liaise between schools and Roma communities. Five hundred people have been trained to teach Romani and up to 90 percent of the 500 places reserved each year in universities for Roma students are occupied, he said.

"Learning Romani and learning about Roma culture helps young people know their roots, build their self-esteem and value their ethnic heritage," Sarau said.

The National Agency for Romas favours active efforts to fight school failure that also include house rehabilitation and finding jobs for parents.

Every morning in Barbulesti, a parent attends classes to be more involved in the education.

"My daughter brags everyday about what she has done at the kindergarten," said Loredana Dinca, a 29-year-old mother of seven, who is delighted that her children can help her read bills and other documents.

Anca Teodorescu/AFP/Expatica

Head photo credit: Zingaro. I am a gipsy too.