Presentation delivered by Teodora Krumova (Center Amalipe, Bulgaria) on the occasion of the public hearing 'Education and training: tools for Roma integration' on 14 January 2011 in the EESC building in Brussels.

1. Introducing Roma culture in Bulgarian schools: a tool for reducing the drop-out rate among Roma children and creating a favorable and tolerant school environment Teodora Krumova CENTER AMALIPE, BULGARIA ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hearing on Education and training: tools for Roma integration European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Friday, 14 January 2011

2. Educational situation of Roma children in Bulgaria % of the Roma children enrolled in school in relation to the % of all children

4. The Roma culture in school Program Since 2002

13. The opinions What impressed me in the work is that the children feeling my interest towards them increased their interest towards school. Velislava Bobeva, a teacher Studying Roma folklore the children improved their Bulgarian language. Diana Dimitrova, a teacher The number of absences is much lower in the days when Roma folklore class is studied. Gradually this influences the other subjects as well. Galia Micheva, a school principal Roma children who had many absences in the past now visit the classes regularly. The lessons turn to be too short. The positive thing is that these are the last classes for the day in the curriculum. This gives us opportunity to stay longer in class. Slavka Todorova, Gorna Oryahovitza