Roma Versitas Albania

Policy research · 2025 · Commissioned by RVA

Secondary Education for Roma and Egyptian Community Students in Albania

A mixed-methods analysis of access, equity and the gap between an inclusive legal framework and lived reality

  • −64%

    Roma vocational enrolment fell from 251 students to 91 in a single year.

  • 70%

    of students report having felt discriminated against at school.

  • 61%

    have never received career counselling, a service mandated by law.

  • 9%

    have support from a Roma or cultural mediator, despite standing recommendations.

  • 0

    public monitoring reports verify the binding 2025 targets of the National Action Plan.

  • 52%

    still aspire to higher education. Aspiration is not the missing ingredient.

Abstract

Albania has built a comprehensive legal and strategic architecture for the educational inclusion of its Roma and Egyptian national minorities, closely aligned with Council of Europe, EU, UNESCO and ILO standards. In practice the right to secondary and vocational education remains an unfulfilled promise. This study triangulates the legal framework with administrative data and two original surveys to show where the system breaks down.

Method

Convergent mixed-methods design combining qualitative analysis of national and international law, ECtHR case-law and three freedom-of-information requests, with two original surveys fielded in May 2025 — 98 students and 108 parents and public officials.

Suggested citation

Teliti, E. (2025). Secondary Education for Roma and Egyptian Community Students in Albania. Tirana: Roma Versitas Albania.