Education for Children and Teenagers of occupational Travellers in Germany

Review and current Developments

Travelling Businesses are an important economic Sector

„Most people do not know that the estimated annual turnover of more than 30,000 public festivals in Europe is

3.5 billion EURO (3,500,000,000). Every year about a thousand million people go to see public festivals, circus

shows or marquees in Europe.“

Efecot (1996/97): Handreichung für Lehrkräfte, S.9.

In Germany nearly 170 million people go to see

entertainment events every year.

In comparison:Swimming pools 160 mill.,

cinemas 149 mill.,theatres 33.8 mill.,

Bundesliga matches 9.3 mill.

Market study supported by the German Ministry of Trade and Commerce, “ Wirtschaftsfaktor Volksfest” (2000).

In: Report on the Implementation of the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2005 RESOLUTION on new challenges for the circus as part

of European culture, 2009.

Approx. 10,000 children and teenagers of showmen families, circuses and boatmen

on inland waters attend school in Germany.

showmen circuses mobile trader market supplier box stalls pony ranches street performer

stuntshows travelling theatres exhibitors seasonal workers reptile shows

Children and Teenagers from travelling Families in the administrative Region of Düsseldorf (2005-2010)

Travelling students…often gazed at, not always treated well and mostly left alone when it comes to schooling.

…. the beginning: Mid-80s: Study of occupational travellers in the EC

travellers are a considerable minority

1989: decision to school children of families from: a) boatmen on inland waters, members of circuses and

showmen b) Sinti and Romanies and other travellers

Efecot (1988 - 2003)European Federation for the Education of the Children of Occupational Travellers

Europe-wide working association with office in Brussels (2003: 17 employees)

Created an information and communication network with 150 partners in 10 countries

Intention: educational work

Before 1989:

The German educational system: federal – stationary - administrative

travelling way of life system of norms and values

The travelling Life

discontinuity in learning and teaching

lack of interest in traveller education

Equality of educational Opportunity Life and learning on the road is very different from

life and learning in brick and mortar schools.

nation-wide concept „learning on the road“ Schule für Circuskinder NRW and Hessen – soon in

every federal state in Germany? BeKoSch (Berufliche Kompetenzen für Schausteller –

vocational competence for showmen) supplementary offers/projects boarding schools private teachers ….

Tuition for Children and Teenagers of occupational Travellers in Germany

Concept: „Learning on the Road“ Clarifies responsibilities and competencies and has

the aim to achieve a better continuity in learning of travelling children by personal, structural and organisational measures.

nation-wide handoutto the school-journal and to questions regarding

schooling children of occupational travellers

passed by the KMK (standing conference of the Ministers of Education) 2006

This guide is primarily for teachers of regular and temporary schools. Parents can get important information regarding schooling as well.

www.schule-unterwegs.de