A research project on absenteeism and dropout: the case of central and southeastern Romania

• Author: Elena-Lidia Dinu
• Position: Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest
• Pages: 79-86

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 8(57) No. 1 - 2015

A RESEARCH PROJECT ON

ABSENTEEISM AND DROPOUT:

THE CASE OF CENTRAL

AND SOUTHEASTERN ROMANIA

Elena-Lidia DINU1

Abstract: The results of this research project have led to a great number of

statements in relevant terms of acceptance and commitment. In this specific

case, the individuals involved in the survey were mostly Roma people from

ten villages of Central and Southeastern Romania (Zizin, Târlungeni, Râşnov

in Braşov County; Porumbacu de Jos, Avrig in Sibiu, Hăghig in Covasna

County; Adjud, Bilieşti, Sihlea, and Tâmboieşti in Vrancea County). I assume

that well-established approaches to gather information about absenteeism

and dropout have substantial predictive validity. Beside this aspect, the

project was supported by UNICEF Romania and the University of Bucharest.

Key words: qualitative study, marginalized groups, dropout.

1 Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest.

1. Theoretical Background

In Romania, the Roma people subject

(with all the related social issues/

implications) has been constantly on the

headlines of the newspapers for a long

time.

At the national level, a number of

policies and specific programmes (aimed

at improving Roma people's living

conditions) have been introduced by the

Government. Likewise, academic and

scientific institutions and also non-

governmental organizations developed

projects (both in partnerships and on their

own) focussed on Roma communities

living in Romania. The key-issues for

those programmes/projects and the main

main aspects to investigate were [1]:

 Employment (research coordinated

by the professors Elena and Cătălin

Zamfir in 1992);

 Education (research coordinated by

the professors Elena and Cătălin

Zamfir in 1992);

 Social services;

 Health;

 Fight against discrimination;

 Roma people’s adjustment to

society;

 Absenteeism.

The Ministry of Education, Research

and Youth and its partners set up six

types of specific programmes aimed at

implementing Education for Roma

people in the period 1990-2008 [2]:

1. Programmes built and sponsored by

the Ministry of Education, Research

and Youth on its own. They mainly

involved: