THE debate over segregated education for Roma (gypsy) children has returned to centre-stage.

Parents who set up a private school are suing the education ministry and regional administration for refusing to grant it a licence. The application was turned down because the school failed to consult the local Roma minority.

The Roma - who cannot afford private fees - said setting up the 210-pupil school in Jaszladany, a village in central Hungary, was a bid to segregate their children.

The government has taken a stand against the segregation of Roma children, a practice widespread in Hungary. The issue has also caused controversy in the Czech Republic, Croatia and Spain.

Research in 184 primaries in Hungary last year showed there were more than 700 classes made up solely of Roma children.

Education minister Balint Magyar has drawn up a plan for integrated education in Jaszladany which he hopes will be replicated throughout Hungary.

Parents were told by the ministry that, since their school did not legally exist, they could not claim child benefit, which is linked to attendance at a recognised school. The parents protested, claiming the school was “legal in every respect” and that the claim that they wanted to segregate Roma children was a “lie and a slander”. They appealed to the prime minister to prevent unrest breaking out.

Meanwhile, the minister invited representatives from both the “foundation” and local authority schools to Budapest and proposed practical measures to establish “integrated education” in Jaszladany, with funding in next year’s budget.

But the parents decided to take their battle to court.