The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe points out "segregation perpetuates the marginalization of girls and boys"

Recently, the Council of Europe has published the position paper “Combating school segregation in Europe through inclusive education” highlighting the importance of educational inclusion in tackling social exclusion and the different modes of segregation.

Given the lack of inclusive education, school segregation persists in various European states. Girls and boys with disabilities, in a situation of mobility (migration), or from Roma families, are the ones who most suffer the negative consequences of this type of discrimination.

The position paper “Combating school segregation in Europe through inclusive education”, by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, considers that segregation perpetuates the marginalization of girls and boys as well as their families; it hinders integration and social cohesion in the contexts where it occurs; In addition, it also has a negative impact on children’s learning because it affects the acquisition of social skills and limits their school and work expectations.

In order to address this practice, the State, which has a positive obligation in this regard, must carry out actions aimed at promoting inclusion and guaranteeing the full rights to education and education of all children, based on the four key components, or the 4 A’s: availability (adaptability), accessibility, acceptability and adaptability. The foregoing, with the aim of generating the necessary conditions for the adequate school development of girls and boys who are in a situation of vulnerability.

Some of the proposed recommendations to address segregation are the following: modification of the legal framework to legally prohibit segregation, also considering it discrimination; creation of socially balanced school zones; prohibit examinations as a form of selection; incentives for teaching staff so that they can develop professionally in schools considered problematic; promote the participation of parents in the school.

Read the full document here.