From interdependence, to dependence and independence - Home and school learning for traveller children

Travellers are the most discriminated against group within the European Uni on. Empirical research on their situation within schools is minimal, yet po licy, supported by substantial funds, has been developed throughout Europe, largely focused on issues of ethnicity and anti-racist approaches. This ar ticle, based on 10 years of research in Scotland and an analysis of the UK and EU approaches, reviews the mismatch between Traveller cultures and thei r schooling experience. Schools ignore and devalue the children's home lear ning of interdependence and independence and offer only learned dependence and institutional exclusion, leading to lowered self-esteem, high absenteei sm and early drop-out.