Segregation in Brno’s Schools?

Segregation in education is not merely a technical term – it means specific classrooms, specific schools, and specific children whose starting point in life is shaped by it. In Brno, the issue keeps returning: is it a “natural consequence” of freedom of school choice, or a problem that can and should be addressed? And if so, how – without clichés and without shifting responsibility between schools, authorities, and parents?

In the discussion, we will explore how inclusion works in practice and when it may instead deepen inequalities. We will speak about the concentration of socially disadvantaged pupils in certain schools and the impact this has on children, teachers, and the wider community. We will also focus on the concrete tools available to the city of Brno and on changes that are genuinely realistic.

Klára Laurenčíková Šimáčková, who has long been engaged in children’s rights and equal access to education, will take part in the discussion. Zdeněk Lichtneger will bring experience from leading ZŠ Křenova, a school that works daily with a diverse student body and with what inclusion means “in practice”. Martin Glogar, Deputy Mayor of Brno-sever responsible for education, will add the perspective of the founder: what the city and the municipal district can (and cannot) set in place, and which steps are politically and operationally feasible. The discussion will be moderated by Bob Kartous, who has long focused on education policy and public debate on schooling.

In cooperation with the Museum of Roma Culture.