The Traveller Movement and ACERT took the lead in highlighting the particular impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures and lockdown on the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.
The letter highlighted the potential impact of disrupted education on an already low achieving group, subject to low teacher expectations and digital exclusion.
It mentioned the impracticality of social isolation for many families as well as the caring roles taken by some children. It also expressed concern that the education of some students may not restart after the disruption.
It is crucial that the government ensure that the educational gaps Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children already face are not widened further by the response to the pandemic.
