E/CN.4/2000/16/Add.1 page 11 3. Educational measures 37. The Government will introduce changes in the educational system in order to ensure that Roma children are as successful as others. In order to achieve this goal, it will use various methods, including dismantling language barriers, preparatory classes, using the Romany language as a supplementary teaching language, employing Roma assistants at schools and, in particular, taking an individual approach to students. The system by which a large majority of Roma children pass through special schools and are thus assigned to the least qualified work for the rest of their lives will be replaced by a system of flexible and equality-directed classes at elementary schools with a smaller number of pupils than in normal classes. Roma adults will be given the possibility to complete elementary education and/or obtain additional education. 38. Preparatory classes, the presence of Roma assistants at schools and equality-oriented classes are creditable methods. However, what is most important is individual care, which requires fewer students in classes and special preparation of teachers. In order to achieve such individual care, it is necessary to provide additional training for teachers and to reduce the number of students, particularly in the early grades. Pedagogical and psychological advice centres will decide which children are having educational and training difficulties. In the first phase experienced teachers from special schools who have acquired special education and experience with individual care of children could be recruited to teach at elementary schools. 4. Measures to promote Roma culture and encourage tolerance 39. The Government recognizes the Romany language and culture as incontestable cultural values of Czech society. The Romany language and culture will be given more attention since up to now they have been neglected. Both main dialects of the Romany language, i.e. Eastern Slovak and Vlachiko, and the Roma and Vlachiko-Roma cultures will enjoy State protection as well as State support. Knowledge of Roma culture and history, as well as the culture and history of other national minorities, will be incorporated in the general education of all children. 40. Assimilation approaches (also adopted by part of the assimilated Roma) pertain to the society which is in a majority. Therefore, the whole of Czech society should be informed about Roma culture and history, primarily through school lessons. Information on Roma history and culture should be included in textbooks and lectures. However, it is necessary to pay adequate professional attention to the Romany language and culture. Although three Czech universities teach the Romany language and Roma studies, and professionals who will be able to further develop Roma studies prepare at those universities, the subject does not have institutional backing and the necessary funding. 41. The Government will ensure that education and training at all schools will be multicultural, that it will be education for tolerance, and that the objective of such education will be a multicultural society. Education and training in State and State-subsidized schools remains monocultural; at school, children learn only about the history and culture of the Czech nation; where they learn about the history and culture of other nations, these are usually large nations that have their own States. If the information is in some way related to the Czech nation and State, it is usually tendentious and one-sided.