North Macedonia: Equality Body Confirms Segregation of Romani Children in Kičevo Primary School
17 June 2026
Brussels, Skopje, 17 June 2026: The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) welcomes a new decision by North Macedonia’s Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination (KSZD), which has confirmed that Romani children have been subjected to ethnic segregation at OOU “Sande Shterjoški” primary school in Kičevo, North Macedonia. The Commission confirmed that segregation on grounds of ethnicity exists at OOU “Sande Shterjoški” primary school in Kičevo and the practice constitutes discrimination under national anti-discrimination legislation. The complaint to the Commission was brought by the ERRC.
“This decision sends a clear message that segregation of Romani children is a clear form of discrimination that public authorities are obliged to address. The recommendations must also be fully implemented so that Romani children in Kičevo can go to school and receive quality education, learn together in an inclusive educational environment, and have higher chances in life in their future” said Mustafa Asanovski, the ERRC’s country coordinator.
The decision reinforces the standards established by the European Court of Human Rights in the landmark case of Elmazova and Others v. North Macedonia (2022), in which it has been stated that segregation does not need to be intentional to be unlawful. Authorities have an obligation to prevent and dismantle situations where Romani children are separated from their peers and denied equal access to inclusive, quality education.
The complaint was filed on 15 September 2025 after obtaining enrolment data from the OOU “Sande Shterjoški” school through a freedom of information request. The data revealed a deeply concerning pattern of segregation between Romani and non-Romani children. During the 2023/2024 school year, 17 of 22 classes were Roma-majority and 12 classes were attended exclusively by Romani pupils. In the 2024/2025 school year, the situation worsened: 19 of 22 classes were Roma-majority, and 13 classes were 100% attended by Romani children. Across both years, Romani pupils made up approximately 85% of the school’s total enrolment.
As a result of its findings, the Commission issued three binding recommendations:
- OOU “Sande Shterjoški” must stop forming segregated classes, and the school director must refuse requests for out-of-zone enrolments when they contribute to segregation.
- The Municipality of Kičevo must consistently apply rezoning and take active measures to achieve desegregation.
- The Municipality must increase the number of pedagogical assistants and organise joint activities and workshops involving parents.
If the recommendations are not implemented within six months of the decision, the Commission can initiate misdemeanor proceedings before the competent court.
In recent years there have been a series of cases exposing school segregation in North Macedonia; the Commission has found segregation affecting Romani children in schools in Bitola, Štip, and Prilep.
The ERRC will continue monitoring the implementation of the Commission's recommendations and advocating for equal, inclusive, and quality education for Romani children across North Macedonia.
This press release is also available in Macedonian.
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jonathan Lee
Advocacy & Communications Director
European Roma Rights Centre
jonathan.lee@errc.org
+32 49 288 7679
Mustafa Asanovski
Regional Human Rights Monitor
European Roma Rights Centre
mustafa.asanovski@errc.org
+389 77 835 187
